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ALEX Lesson Plans Subject: Mathematics (3 - 4), Science (3 - 5)
Title: Sailing on the Wind
Description: This is a hands-on lesson that uses science and the steps of the Engineering Design Process to determine important properties in sail design materials and learn how to harness wind power. Students will learn that a problem can be solved in different ways using different materials, properties of materials change its effectiveness, conducting tests help determine versatility of materials, and that wind can be harnessed to do work.
This lesson is adapted from Catching the Wind: Designing Windmills, Lesson 3: Testing Sail Designs (produced by the Museum of Boston for the Engaging Youth in Engineering program.) Visit http://www.mos.org/EiE for more information.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (7 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Introduction to Database Management
Description: This lesson introduces students to the concept of organized information in a database. This is an introduction, so there are no computer exercises. A PowerPoint presentation is used as a visual aid for discussion and explanation. Students will receive presentation handouts to refer to during the presentation and to use afterward while completing a worksheet to assess what they have learned.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 8)
Title: Creating Games from ”SCRATCH”: Computer Programming
Description: This lesson is a collaborative lesson between Margaret Rice and Kay Emfinger. In this lesson, students will learn how to use Scratch, a computer programming language. Students will then work collaboratively to create an educational game using Scratch. This is a hands-on lesson. Students will use conditionals and operators in their game design. Students will use 21st century skills that include Information & Communication Skills, Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills, and Interpersonal & Self-Directional Skills.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Magic Milk
Description: This lesson is designed to engage students in a discussion and demonstration of molecules, surface tension, and bonding. Students will use hands on materials as well as technology. This lesson shows how a solution works to achieve equilibrium.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 6), Science (5 - 6)
Title: Grow a GEM
Description: Students will grow crystals out of different substances. Students will also document and make a podcast video of the growth of their crystals. Students will make and identify different geometric shapes.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 2), Science (K - 3), Social Studies (2 - 4)
Title: The Medicine Leaf Man
Description: The teacher will briefly discuss Mississippian time period medicine men. The teacher will read Leaf Man by Louis Elhert and discuss leaves of various trees that grow in Russell Cave National Monument and the surrounding North Alabama area that were used for medicinal purposes. Students will then create a medicine man using the discussed medicinal leaves and tree parts.
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Popping HOT
Description: In this lesson students will discover the different forms of heat transfer such as conduction, convection, and radiation and that these forms can be demonstrated by popping popcorn. Students will learn the health benefits of popcorn, one of America’s favorite snacks. Students will also use fun facts about popcorn to solve math problems.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Human Population Growth WebQuest
Description: This is a technology-based lesson plan that integrates science and math to determine dynamics in population growth.
Subject: Social Studies (8 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: European History Art Presentations
Description: The students are assigned an artist from the period of European history that the class is studying at the time of the assignment. The students will research their artist and write a one page paper giving the general background information on the artist. Additionally, the student will create a visual presentation of the artists' work and make a first person presentation to the class lasting not more than ten minutes.
Subject: English Language Arts (9)
Title: Romeo and Juliet "What if......?"
Description: Student groups will be assigned separate acts of Romeo and Juliet where they will read and interpret the original version; then, remake it using a modern spin but keeping the same basic plot.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: Proofs into Practice: The Pythagorean Theorem in the Real World
Description: The introduction of this lesson has students verifying the famous Pythagorean Theorem with a hands-on proof. Students will then apply the Theorem in one of two ways: by solving for the side lengths of a right triangle and by determining whether three side lengths could possibly form a right triangle. Finally, students will choose one of two real-life applicataions to explore, using the Pythagorean Theorem.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Information Technology (9 - 12)
Title: Multimedia Careers
Description: Students may be surprised that Computer Careers aren’t all found under “Computer” in the Occupation Handbook. Students will conduct guided research of careers related to Multimedia Design and/or Multimedia Publication course objectives. They will then focus on one career. The goal is to present the information to someone who isn’t familiar with the assignment, as if the student has picked a career and is defending his decision. They will create a presentation in free Google Docs to summarize information about the career, where to get training, accreditation, certification, and a job. This is a commerce and information technology lesson plan. This lesson should be taught near the end of the school year after students have had a taste of the various multimedia skills covered in the class. Students share the presentation and post a link to a Moodle database for easy access.
Subject: Mathematics (3)
Title: It's In The Bag
Description: This lesson is a unique and fun way to review perimeter, angles, and types of adjectives. Students pick an object from the classroom that will fit in a paper lunch bag. They investigate their object and fill in the attached sheet. You can then make a bulletin board out in the hall by attaching the bag (with the object in it) below or beside the info sheet. Students can come by and try to guess what object is in the bag by looking at the info sheet. They can then check their guess by looking in the bag.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12)
Title: How to participate in a professional job interview.
Description: Through this lesson, students will learn how to participate in a professional job interview.
Subject: English Language Arts (8 - 9), Social Studies (9)
Title: Fried Green Tomatoes & Cultural Crossroads
Description: Having read Fannie Flagg’s Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, students will conduct research through an interview with an elderly person from the community (a field trip to local nursing home facility) to determine the validity of the author’s message (setting, cultural, and historical observations). They will develop interview questions derived from observations and events from the book as a large group. Small student groups will use iPods/MP3s, laptop computers with webcams, or digital cameras to capture pictures, videos, or audio clips from their interview, as well as take notes. On their return, groups will compare facts from the book to findings during interview and collaborate to create a presentation that finds Flagg’s depiction of the Alabama of the Great Depression days credible or not.
Subject: Social Studies (10 - 11)
Title: Let's Talk Socratically That Is, About the Fact of Women Being Equal to Men.
Description: For this lesson you will be using the Socratic Seminar Instructional Method. The Socratic Seminar is a great way to get students involved. Socratic seminars are useful in that they teach students to make a point through using the text for support, listen to and respect other students' opinions, and encourages students to think independently and cooperatively. Students will be given The Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments as the text for the seminar.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Who's who in our Government?
Description: Students will do Internet research to identify key government officials. Each student will create an animated character to introduce a key official to the class.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (5 - 6)
Title: Satisfy Your Vacation Hunger!
Description: Students will prepare and present a group project detailing the menu for a 5 day vacation. Each group will select a vacation destination and describe activities involved in the vacation and the meals that will be served. Groups will be given a budget of $200 for the 5 days of meals for 4 people. Students will use various forms of technology to research needed information, prepare the budget, and to present the final product. Projects will be turned in as a binder with required information and as a multimedia presentation to be shared with the class.
Subject: Mathematics (K), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Stop, Look, and Find Shapes in Our School and Community!
Description: This is a project-based lesson that provides many hands-on opportunities for students to learn about shapes in their environment. Students are challenged to find shapes in our world using everyday technology. Students review the characteristics of basic shapes such as squares, triangles, circles, etc. They will then learn how to use digital cameras to capture shapes in the environment and will create a digital book of their photos.
Subject: Science (4), Arts Education (5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5)
Title: Inner and Outer Planets of the Solar System
Description: In this science lesson students will work collaboratively to learn and introduce the eight planets, sizes, characteristics, and their order. They will use size comparisons, research a planet, design a poster and create a PowerPoint presentation.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Arts Education (4)
Title: Sequence Flower Reports
Description: This is a hands-on book report project. It will be an extension activity that occurs after the reading of the stories The Secret Gardens and/ or The Gardener. Paper Flowers will be designed and put together by each student. Story events will be composed onto the flowers parts.
Subject: Social Studies (1)
Title: Alabama Mardi Gras Celebration
Description: This lesson is a very hands-on experience for students. Students will not only learn the facts about Mardi Gras, but they will also be making items related to Mardi Gras. Students will create and design their own Mardi Gras mask or float. Students are engaged at all times!
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Science (1)
Title: Exploring Owls
Description: During this lesson, students will visit Internet sites to research facts about owls and food chains. They will use this information to complete a picture of an owl food chain, dissect owl pellets, and write a class book about owls.
Subject: English Language Arts (4)
Title: Don't get lost in story writing: Follow the map!
Description: In this lesson, teachers will guide the students, as a group, through the process of writing a meaningful story using a story map. First the teacher will review the parts that make up a successful story. Then, the students will be guided through the planning process in which they will make selections for each part of the story. At the end of the exercise, the students will experience how each selection they made as a group, combines to make one cohesive story. Once the group activity is complete, students will have the opportunity to plan and write stories individually using the same story map.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: My adventure with Lewis & Clark
Description: Over the course of five days, students will create a daily journal in the style of Lewis and Clark. At the end of the week, the students will create a video using their Flip cameras recreating their journals.
Subject: Social Studies (5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Native Cultures Vs. Explorers in World Court
Description: This lesson represents the end result of a project-based, hands-on unit in which children represent a culture they've researched in a World Court Hearing against the explorers they encountered.
Subject: Health (7), Health Education (6 - 8), Counseling and Guidance (K - 12)
Title: Bullies Beware
Description: "Bullies Beware" reminds students of all the people who have died because of bullying and that this is not the way to handle being bullied. It focuses on what a bully is, what comprises violence, and how a victim can feel better about them self. A survey is given out that will later give a school profile on bullying. "Reality Matters" handouts are dispersed, discussed and compared to our local school.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Teens, the Internet, and the U. S. Justice System
Description: "Teens, the Internet, and the U. S. Justice System" is a lesson designed to show how the legal system has adapted to the Internet. The lesson begins with a 10-minute podcast (under review withh ALEX) with five court cases which will be discussed by students. The court cases involve: protesting, infringement into school computers, when creative writing becomes criminal intent, when are you responsible with what's on your website, and when graphic arts get too graphic.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Plants are Survivors!
Description: All plants have basic life requirements. Understanding these requirements as well as plant structure helps explain why plants prefer some locations over others. This project allows students to work in cooperative groups to explore the impact of the environment and tissue structure on plants. It also allows students to summarize their findings in a multimedia presentation.
Subject: English Language Arts (9)
Title: Supporting or Negating a Thesis about the Relevance of English Language Skill to Career Success
Description: Students will research the relevance of possessing skills in the English language to career success.
Subject: Social Studies (9 - 12)
Title: How Values Affect Career Choices
Description: Students will take a short online assessment of their own work-related values and note how differing work values affect their selection of occupations.
Subject: Social Studies (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: So You Want to Be President? Let's Elect a President: A Classroom Election Wiki Project
Description: This project-based learning project extends classroom learning with a variety of multimedia tools to conduct an engaging election campaign for the Presidency. Students form political parties, write a platform, and conduct a campaign for the Presidency. Party platforms are presented to the class and embedded on a election wiki where each party has its own campaign page for their candidate. Parties use a variety of web tools to conduct the multimedia online campaign and create their candidate's web page. The project concludes with the election of one of the candidates.
Subject: English Language Arts (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Social Studies (3)
Title: Are You Down with Describing Nouns?
Description: This unit is a fun, exciting, and engaging unit that uses many 21st century tools to help students working in collaborative groups understand what an adjective is and how adjective use is vital to making writing interesting. Furthermore, students will use technology to research and explore the use of adjectives in their daily writings, readings, and environment and determine how adjective use can influence consumers.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Creating a Perfect Society- Poster Production
Description: This is the third part of a project-based learning unit plan. In groups, the students will be analyzing themes and literary elements from the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding in order to answer the driving question- How is it possible to create a perfect society? As the students take on the role of the characters in the novel, they will need to create a survival guide, a propaganda poster to advertise their society and the map of their perfect society. This particular lesson is the production of the glogster poster. You can find the other lesson of this unit on the ALEX website under the numbers 31003,31029,and 31031.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Creating a Perfect Society- Presentation
Description: This is the final part of a project-based learning unit plan. In groups, the students will be analyzing themes and literary elements from the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding in order to answer the driving question- How is it possible to create a perfect society? As the students take on the role of the characters in the novel, they will need to create a survival guide, a propaganda poster to advertise their society and the map of their perfect society. This particular lesson will consist of students presenting their productions from previous lessons to a panel of judges. You can find the other lesson of this unit on the ALEX website under the numbers 31003,31029,and 31030.
Subject: Social Studies (2 - 3), Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Jet, Set, Go! Travel Google Earth in Ben's Dream
Description: This lesson uses the picture book by Chris Van Allsburg Ben’s Dream with Google Earth to highlight ten major landmarks of the world. After reading and discussing Ben’s Dream, students "travel" to each location using the free software Google Earth. Students will then be put into small groups by the teacher to research one specific landmark using the tools available on Google Earth (i.e., snapshots, Wikipedia links, etc.). Using their research skills, students locate these famous landmarks, conduct further research on them, and share that information with the class.
Subject: Social Studies (10 - 11)
Title: History: It's All Around Me
Description: Most students are unaware of the historical significances that can be found in their immediate surroundings. This lesson plan sends students on a quest to seek out areas of historical significance that can be found within their local area. Once students find these hidden historical gems they will report their findings via photo story. This lesson plan has been made with Alabama historical places of reference in mind; you will need to adapt it for your own individual state.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Give That Character a Voice with Voki!
Description: This lesson fuses fictional literature with technology through a project-based experience. Students will use the free online resource Voki to bring a fictional character to "life" and deepen their understanding notion of character, character traits, and the importance of character development within stories. They will create an avatar, compose and edit a script, and supplying the voice befitting the character.
Subject: Social Studies (9), Technology Education (K - 5)
Title: Passport to the Great Wars
Description: In this unit plan students will be examining the causes, events, and consequences of the First World War. To launch this project students will be create passports that they will use throughout this unit and in the World War II unit. The content for this unit is taught via a layered curriculum document (attached). During the course of this project students may earn passport stamps by mastering content objectives (quizzes, tests, standards based assessments) and completing layered curriculum products (front page news articles, trench diagrams, personalities brainflips cards, quizlet vocabulary, etc.). After examining the causes and events of the war, students will participate in a mock Treaty of Versailles (see ALEX Lesson Plan ID: 31048). Lastly, students will compose a five paragraph essay and answer the unit Driving Question.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12)
Title: Hey! I'm Talking To You!!
Description: Effective communication skills are a key component for successful self-advocacy, empowerment and leadership. This lesson will teach high school students the types of communication, how to understand one's audience, and ways to utilize appropriate tone, timing and words. The goal is for students to apply use of communication skills, so the lesson will incorporate role playing exercises for various settings.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Arts Education (5)
Title: Plan the Adventure of a Lifetime with Lewis and Clark!
Description: This plan is the first lesson in my unit on Lewis and Clark. This is a project-based, hands-on unit in which students "become" part of the Corps of Discovery - the members traveling in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In this lesson, the students will be introduced to Lewis and Clark and our daily routine for the unit. We will then create a three-dimensional raised-relief physical map of the United States on which to track our journey and plan what to take on the trip.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), Social Studies (7), English Language Arts (7)
Title: So, You Want to be a Citizen?
Description: Students work in groups to create a slide presentation in presentation software aimed at informing immigrants of the qualifications and steps in naturalization as well as the rights, responsibilities, and duties of citizens. Lesson is an interdisciplinary unit teaching publishing software.
Subject: Social Studies (9)
Title: Mock Treaty of Versailles
Description: This project is designed to conclude a World War I Unit. In this unit, students will have examined the causes, events, and consequences of World War One. After investigating the causes and events of the war, students will participate as delegates to a mock Treaty of Versailles. In the mock Treaty, students will be divided into collaborative groups and will be assigned roles within these groups. The group as a whole will be assigned the role of a country that was integral to the negotiation of the the actual treaty.
Subject: Social Studies (7 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: So You Think You Are a Citizen?
Description: Students will learn about the status of citizenship in the United States. Using a graphic organizer and interactive game, students will decide what it means to be a citizen and how can citizenship be obtained.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12), English Language Arts (10), Mathematics (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12), Social Studies (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Biodiversity survey: Local ecosystem and food web investigation
Description: This is a hands on lesson in which students will explore their local community to identify living things. It can be used as part of a unit on biodiversity and energy transfer within a biology, zoology, or environmental science course, or as an enrichment assignment for AP biology or AP environmental science. This interdisciplinary high school lesson provides students with real life experience towards mastering objectives in art, English, science, technology, social studies, and math.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), Social Studies (7)
Title: A Voice for the Silent
Description: This lesson is designed to help students make a connection between the events of World War II to the events happening in the world today. Students will compare examples of genocide from World War II and today. This lesson is taught in conjunction with The Diary of Anne Frank in the eighth grade.
Subject: Health (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: What's On Your Plate?
Description: In today's fast food world, it can be hard to make healthy eating choices. In this lesson, students will learn how they can incorporate healthy eating habits in their daily routines. They will use menus from local restaurant chains and evaluate which items are the healthiest according to what they have previously learned about nutritional facts/information on-line. They will then create a dietary journal on-line about their weekly dietary choices and share with their classmates.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12)
Title: Common App - Planning to Apply for College Admission
Description: This lesson is designed for high school students who are planning to apply for college admission. Particularly useful for freshmen and sophomores, viewing the Common App early in high school will help students know how to prepare to complete a college application as a senior. The Common App is a college application a student can complete and send to numerous colleges simultaneously. Examining the Common App will help students become aware of the importance of maintaining a solid GPA and class rank, performing well on standardized admission exams, and getting involved in extracurricular activities.
Subject: Social Studies (12)
Title: Writing Roulette: Walmart Sells Everything!!!
Description: As a part of the study of Economics, the students will cooperatively write an essay using terms associated with the basics of economics. In cooperative learning groups of four students will use a word list and prior knowledge to construct a well written essay on needs, wants, goods and services provided by a company.
Subject: Social Studies (12)
Title: Civil Rights Supreme Court Cases that shaped Our Government: America's Melting Pot
Description: As part of the study of Civil Liberties, the students will do research on Civil Rights Supreme Court Cases and amendments that changed America. In groups, students will use various websites, books and newspaper articles to acquire information about Supreme Court cases that have shaped American government over the years. Groups will then present a video of a reenactment of important events associated to their cases to be presented to the class. This lesson is intended to be completed over a five-day period (depending on class sizes and presentation days).
Subject: Science (K)
Title: Do You Hear What I Hear?
Description: Students will perform an investigative activity in which they will identify sounds. The teacher will play several different sounds through the computer and sound system. Students will listen and act as "detectives" to relate sounds to sources and make inferences about conditions and/or locations.
Subject: Science (8)
Title: Acids and Bases Lesson/Lab
Description: This lesson will allow students to perform pH tests that determine if various solutions are acids or bases (cognitive). Students will test common household solutions such as water, vinegar, milk, and orange juice use pH indicator strips. One the pH strip turns a particular color, it reveals the H and OH ions of the solution.,
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Literary Elements in Literature
Description: This lesson is applicable to any story or novel in literature. The students will be introduced to twelve literary elements through a podcast. They will then be divided into small groups to complete activities involving story and literary elements.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 2)
Title: Concentration Circle
Description: Students must be alert and observant in this activity. This exercise will strengthen observation skills. Students will also hone listening skills.
Subject: Physical Education (2 - 3)
Title: Jingle Bells Paper Plate Dance
Description: Celebrate the holiday season with this fun paper plate dance. Students will rhythmically move in time to music while manipulating paper plates. This fun and active routine is designed for 2nd and 3rd grade students, but can be modified for all ages.
Subject: Physical Education (2 - 3)
Title: 1, 2, 3 THROW!
Description: This lesson is designed for 2nd and 3rd grade students who have previous experience with throwing. The lesson provides a review of throwing and then proceeds to throwing at large targets and throwing while traveling. This is a great skill development lesson with a strong focus on utilizing correct form.
Subject: Science (3)
Title: "Let's Explore What Our Bones are For"
Description: This lesson is a hands-on, technology based science lesson. It is very interactive! Students are engaged at all times. Students will explore the human body through a "virtual field trip." While exploring the human body they will discover the types of bones that make up the body and how they work.
Subject: Social Studies (8), Technology Education (K - 5)
Title: Days of Our Medieval Lives
Description: This project is designed for a class on block scheduling with class times ranging from 60-96 minutes. Students will be assigned a character in feudal society. Through this character, students will immerse themselves in medieval culture and "live" through various scenarios and historical events. Students will journal daily to chronicle these events and will compile these journal entries and artifacts into a scrapbook. Lastly, students will dress in character and display their scrapbooks and other items that relate to their character in a booth at the Medieval Fair.
Subject: Social Studies (7), Finance (9 - 12)
Title: How Much Does It Cost?
Description: Students will use an online mortgage calculator to determine the cost of financing a house over various lengths of time and at various interest rates. This lesson is excellent to include in a budgeting unit.
Subject: English Language Arts (11), Information Technology (9 - 12)
Title: Plath, Personification, and Figurative Language
Description: This project based activity will use Sylvia Plath's poem, Mirror, to examine the use of personification and figurative language. The activity may also incorporate the use of technology to produce a multimedia project. This allows collaboration with the Business Tech/Multimedia Publication instructor.
Subject: Physical Education (K - 1)
Title: Gymnastics: A Lot More Than Just Flips!
Description: This lesson is a 4-5 day introductory level gymnastics lesson designed for grades K-1. Students will participate in animal walks, balance activities and individual, partner and small group stunts. Throughout the lesson attention will be paid to correct transfer of weight and absorption of body weight when landing.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Creating a Perfect Society - Brochure Production
Description: This is the second part of a project based learning unit plan. In groups, the students will be analyzing themes and literary elements from the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding in order to answer the driving question- How is it possible to create a perfect society? As the students take on the role of the characters in the novel, they will need to create a survival guide, a propaganda poster to advertise their society and the map of their perfect society. This particular lesson contains lessons that lead up the creation of the brochure. You can find the other lesson of this unit on the ALEX website under the numbers 31003, 31030, and 31031.
Subject: Arts Education (1), Science (1), English Language Arts (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K)
Title: Get Jiggy With It!
Description: Students will exhibit their understanding of character through improvisation. Students will listen to a story and act out the actions. They will demonstrate the verbs and adjectives that describe their characters' movements.
Subject: Social Studies (9 - 12), Technology Education (K - 5)
Title: Constitution Lives
Description: As part of the study of the Constitution, students will do research on and create a Constitutional scrapbook and multimedia presentation on the Bill of Rights. Students will use various media print resources as well as the Internet to acquire news articles which demonstrate any aspect of the Constitution. Students will then summarize the articles making sure to include their opinion to demonstrate working knowledge of the Constitution and its protections.
Subject: Social Studies (10), Hospitality and Tourism (9 - 12), Human Services (9 - 12)
Title: Columbian Exchange Cafe
Description: Students will research and investigate foods of Europe and the Americas prior to European exploration to create/publish menus for virtual restaurants illustrating Columbian Exchange effects. Students may prepare the menu items as a final presentation project. This project can be collaborative with Family and Consumer Science instructor and Business Tech Education/Media Publications instructor. Clicking on "Columbian Exchange" and other hyperlinked words/phrases thoughout this lesson will link to different sites for information.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (4)
Title: Genre Who? Identifying Various Fiction Genres
Description: In this lesson students will be introduced to six different fiction genres. They will then practice their knowledge of these genres through a review game.
Subject: Social Studies (10 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: John Marshall: True to His Party?
Description: Students will take part in an inquiry-based lesson in which they will analyze the rulings by John Marshall as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. After evaluation, they will justify through blogging whether John Marshall held up the characteristics of the Federalist Parties intended as a "midnight judge".
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), Social Studies (7)
Title: You Are A Walking Geography Billboard
Description: Students will investigate personal items to discover the item's origin. These results will be displayed for the class to see via a digital poster/chart.
Subject: Science (5)
Title: Acids, Bases, and Neutrals, Oh My!
Description: In this hands on lesson, students will explore using an easy to make indicator solution to determine if household materials are acidic, basic, or neutral. They will also use pH paper to test the solutions. Students will end the lesson by creating a PhotoStory of their experiments and writing about their findings.
Subject: Information Technology (9 - 12), English Language Arts (11)
Title: J. Alfred Hyperbolizes
Description: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock contains a touch of hyperbole...to say the least, as well as imagery. This fun project based activity will allow students to engage in the lighter side of figurative language.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), Social Studies (6)
Title: The President's Desk
Description: History comes to life for students as they explore a virtual tour of President John F. Kennedy's Oval Office. This interactive online module features several multi-media presentations of historic aspects of Kennedy's life and administration. Students actively engage in learning about various topics related to Kennedy's presidency, United States history, and what it means to be president of our country. In conclusion, students will use an online digital photo editing tool to create their own Kennedy photo album.
Subject: Science (8 - 12)
Title: Mentos, Soda, and Nucleation
Description: In this lesson, Mentos candy and different types of soda are used to show examples of nucleation, surface tension, surface area, polar attractions, and supersaturated materials. A video will be used to show the examples and the students will then work in groups to determine what their hypothesis is about what is happening and why. The students will be given a chance to debate with other students about why their hypothesis is correct. This lesson could be used in eighth grade physical science, physical science, chemistry, and/or physics.
Subject: Arts Education (3 - 5)
Title: Keep Talking!
Description:
This activity energizes students and enables students to practice listening and speaking. Students will use improvisational skills to speak on any given topic for one minute without stopping. This activity will enhance students' ability to think quickly on their feet, improve their social skills, and prepare them for play script writing
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (K)
Title: Read Well Letter Chant Podcast
Description: This lesson guides students through creating a Podcast that provides video and audio of the Read Well Letter Chant.
Students take pictures of the cards and record the chant to go along with the cards.
Subject: Social Studies (9 - 12), English Language Arts (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Creating a Psychology News Wiki
Description: This engaging lesson may be utilized for the entire duration of the Psychology or Advanced Placement Psychology course to keep students informed about new discoveries in the field and instruct them on the scientific writing process. Students research the Internet to locate breaking news in Psychology and write a psychological abstract on the article they have selected.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Social Studies (5)
Title: A Revolutionary Dinner Party
Description: Students play the role of colonists from the Revolutionary War period. Each group has decided to host a dinner party for some "famous faces" of the American Revolution. There are FOUR parts to this project: research, seating chart, music and food, and dialogue.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Producing Poetic Podcasts (Hey, That's Alliteration!)
Description: In this culminating lesson for a poetry unit, students will create a video podcast that summarizes a specific poem, analyzes the poet's use of literary elements, and infers the meaning of the poem (theme). The podcast must use a talk show format to discuss the literary elements and theme. The talk show may feature the students or animated characters using xtranormal.com.
Subject: Social Studies (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Report the Trials: Salem Hysteria
Description: Students will act as a radio/TV reporter informing the public of the hysteria of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Within partners/groups, students will create a podcast/vodcast connecting Puritan life and culture with the events in Salem.
Subject: Social Studies (5)
Title: "Tools of the Trade"
Description: Students will research tools that were used in Colonial tradeshops to determine how the tools were used during the 18th century. During the lesson, the students will have the opportunity to work together with their peers to conduct their research and to share their opinion with their classmates.
Subject: Social Studies (5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Going to War!
Description: In this 21st Century roleplay lesson, students use what they know about causes of the Civil War to have an educated discussion with another class. By utilizing Skype, students and teachers collaborate with one another in an engaging historical scenario.
Subject: Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: The Bee's Knees of the 1920s
Description: This is a culminating activity to an American history unit on "The Roaring 20s." Students will work in groups to research notable individuals from the 1920s and apply that knowledge to create a digital poster using Glogster. This poster will "advertise" these important characters and their impact on American history.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), Social Studies (6)
Title: Coming to America!
Description: Delve into living conditions of tenement housing for immigrants in New York in the 19th century with this lesson. Students research and use primary sources to create a digital PhotoStory of an immigrant family of their choice.
Subject: Social Studies (12)
Title: Circling The Bill of Rights
Description: This is a hands-on, inquiry project to create a 3-D graphic organizer for the research and study of the Bill of Rights. It may be a stand-alone activity or may be included as part of a unit of study on the Constitution. Students will also use the Internet to research content.
Subject: Social Studies (7)
Title: That's All I Have to Spend for a Whole Month?
Description: As a part of the study of personal economics, students will research a career, costs of rent, insurance, food, transportation, etc. and prepare a monthly budget based on their research.
Subject: Social Studies (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Ancient Greece On Parade
Description: Everyone loves a parade! As an end to a unit on Ancient Greece, students will produce an Ancient Greek shoebox float celebrating one of the cultural contributions of the civilization.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Social Studies (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Biography Project: Exploring the Past in 21st Century Ways
Description: Through this project-based lesson, students will do research on and create an oral presentation based on the life of an influential Famous American. Students will utilize various means to glean information, from online databases, various websites, and age-appropriate biographical literature to prepare for the final product: a "Living Wax Museum." Students will determine the most relevant information to write a script presented in the form of an oral presentation. The presentations will also be recorded and published as a podcast for sharing on the teacher's website.
Subject: English Language Arts (10)
Title: Creating a Perfect Society Introduction
Description: This is the first part of a project based learning unit plan. In groups, the students will be analyzing themes and literary elements from the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding in order to answer the driving question- How is it possible to create a perfect society? As the students take on the role of the characters in the novel, they will need to create a survival guide, a propaganda poster to advertise their society and the map of their perfect society. This particular lesson is the introduction of all elements of the project and novel. You can find the other lesson of this unit on the ALEX website under the numbers 31029, 31030, and 31031.
Subject: Social Studies (9), Technology Education (K - 5)
Title: Zagat's Guide to the Columbian Exchange
Description: This is a unit plan designed for a class that meets for approximately 60-96 minutes. It is also recommended that this project be used to conclude a unit that covers European exploration and the Columbian Exchange. Students will work collaboratively with a partner to create an "Old World" or "New World" restaurant menu. Old World restaurants must only serve foods that are made with ingredients that can only be found in "Old World" countries and vice versa. In this Students will be required to give the restaurant a historically referenced name and theme and use desktop publishing software to create their menu. Once menus have been produced, students will then orally present the menu to a panel of judges or their peers.
Subject: Health (K), Physical Education (K - 1)
Title: Watch me toss, catch and travel!
Description: Students will spend the week engaged in physical activity, skill development and fun! Traveling activities will be practiced through a variety of activities designed to explore pathways, levels, directions and effort concepts while safely moving in general space. Beanbag activities will provide tossing and catching experience and fun with rhythms.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12)
Title: Virtual Tours of Colleges and Careers
Description: This resourceful lesson will introduce students to a website where they can take "tours" of colleges and careers. The counselor/facilitator will show students how to locate the website and maneuver through it to find useful information. Students will learn how to compare and contrast various colleges and careers to determine which characteristics match their interests, goals and abilities.
This lesson can be repeated on a regular basis to demonstrate to students the importance of keeping the future in the forefront as decisions in high school are made. Such decisions include course selections, summer plans (i.e. internships, job shadowing, summer job, travel, summer reading/study) and goal-setting. As students continue to view virtual tours and learn more about colleges and careers, they can add the information to a spreadsheet as a way to compare and contrast.
Subject: Social Studies (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Who Will You Back? (The First American Political Parties)
Description: Students will produce an illustrated documentary on one of the first two American political parties.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: See Me, Hear Me, Understand Me: Franklin D. Roosevelt's Pearl Harbor Address
Description: The viewing goals for this lesson were for students to use a visual text, Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" speech (played first without sound), to identify visual cues & understand why he may have chosen to use certain gestures, facial expressions, & body language to communicate his message. I wanted students to view & identify what an effective speaker does when speaking formally. By noticing & analyzing visual cues, I wanted students to infer the purpose of his speech & intended audience.
The listening goals for this lesson were for students to listen to FDR's "Day of Infamy" speech (after watching it first with no sound), and discriminate, through his chosen words, the purpose of his speech & point of view. Students were asked to listen to FDR's use of voice & tone to understand his message. In the group conversations that followed, my goal was for students to listen to & consider the perspectives/ideas of others & work together to analyze what they heard that made this a formal speech.
The speaking goals for the lesson were for students to react through speaking to the video clip & apply characteristics of FDR's formal speaking to their own formal speaking by considering gestures, facial expressions, body language, voice, tone, & specific vocabulary to communicate purpose & point of view. In segment one, my goal was for students to notice how, through listening/viewing, FDR communicated his message & viewpoint, not simply the topic of his message.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Native Cultures in the Americas
Description: This lesson is part of a project-based, hands-on unit in which children discover the native cultures that existed in the Americas prior to the arrival of explorers. The students will "become" part of their assigned culture through research with a provided research guide to keep them on track. The students will be expected to present their culture to the class after completing research and will be graded by a rubric. The lesson includes the use of the trade book: The Discovery of the Americas by Betsy and Giulio Maestro. The unit has the overriding goal of representing the culture in a World Court Hearing against the explorers they encountered.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Is Separate Equal? The Role of School Integration in the Civil Rights Movement
Description: Students will read and do research in order to build their background knowledge regarding school integration. Students will use various websites and view online videos to develop an understanding of segregation and integration of schools during the Civil Rights Movement. Students will then write and publish a picture book about school integration.
Subject: Social Studies (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: It's a Dig!
Description: Students will construct their own archaeological dig site to share with fellow students. Students will investigate "artifacts" to identify the owner of the mock dig site.
Subject: Social Studies (7)
Title: It's in the Hopper!
Description: A Congressional simulation in which students research a topic of interest, write a bill, and submit the bill for consideration by a Congressional committee of their peers. This lesson teaches in a real way the legislative process and committee work.
Subject: Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Newton's Three Laws
Description: This technology-based lesson will review Newton's three laws of motion. After reviewing the laws, the students will be divided into three groups. Each group will be assigned one of Newton's laws and asked to create a presentation demonstrating their assigned law. The students will present their law to the class and be scored using a rubric.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12)
Title: You Can Do It!
Description: A great pep talk, this lesson will provide motivation and inspiration to students through a web-based video and group reflection time. Students will discuss obstacles to reaching goals and ways in which to overcome those obstacles. This brief lesson is rich with opportunity for a counselor or teacher to encourage high school students students. Using this lesson when semester exams or other stressful times are approaching would be a good idea!
Subject: Social Studies (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Spice up the Nineteenth Century!
Description: Students will make interactive outlines using the Internet of the reform movements, literature, trails, religion or technology of the early nineteenth century.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: IPA is Cool![ai pi e ÉŞz kul]
Description: Students will be introduced to the International Phonetic Alphabet and learn how to apply it to songs in foreign languages. In this particular lesson, they will learn the symbols for vowels used in Italian and apply them to a simple, seventeenth-century Italian art song, "Star Vicino". Students will be evaluated through individual podcasts created and edited using Audacity.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Mathematics (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: An Interest.....ing Math Lesson
Description: Eventually everyone will need to borrow money for one reason or another. A good understanding of how interest works will go a long way when applying for a loan. In this lesson students will complete a KWL chart about the purchase of a new vehicle. Students will visit several Websites where they will be able to practice computing simple interest. Then students will have an opportunity to compute simple interest problems that are located in a interactive whiteboard presentation. Students will also answer several written questions about simple interest. They will also create a presentation that will contain information that they gathered during one of the activities that are included in this lesson.
Subject: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (9 - 12)
Title: Automotive Service, Electronic Brake, Traction and Stability Control
Description: The student will have a beginning understanding of the theory of operation of common ABS [Anti Lock Brake System]. They will also be able to identify common components of the ABS system on sight.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Pass It Down
Description: This lesson, Pass It Down, integrates science and math into two consecutive hands-on genetics activities that should be embedded within an existing genetics unit suitable for biology students. The results of each activity will be inherently unique, since data generated will be based on genetic traits of students. First, frequency of our class’s facial traits, such as ear lobe attachment, will be calculated. Second, the ability to taste various chemicals, such as PTC, will be tested. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (2 - 4)
Title: The Magnetic Maglev Train
Description: This is a hands-on, inquiry-based lesson that includes three magnetic stations in which students or small groups rotate in order to test and discover different magnetic properties and then use their knowledge to build a Maglev Train System. Students will learn about magnetic poles, magnetic fields, forces of attraction and repulsion, and non-magnetic influences on magnetic structures.This lesson is adapted from The Attraction is Obvious: Designing Maglev Systems, Lesson 3: A Magnetic Personality and Lesson 4: Designing a Maglev System (produced by the Museum of Boston for the Engaging Youth in Engineering program.) Visit http://www.mos.org/EiE for more information.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Puzzling Pangaea
Description: In this lesson students will work collaboratively to research information in order to prove or disprove if a super continent ever existed. Students will create a model of Pangaea to show how their research findings ‘connect' in a puzzle format. Students will conduct a survey to find out their peers opinion of Pangaea and communicate the results in graphs.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 7), Science (5), Mathematics (5 - 7), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Lip Balm Science
Description: During this lesson, students will make three types of lip balm. They will then predict which lip balm they think will be preferred by testers and test that prediction by collecting data from testers who sample the lip balms. They will analyze the data to check their predictions.
This lesson is a collaboration lesson between Margaret Rice and Kay Emfinger.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 11)
Title: Com'on Down To Eatonville, Florida
Description: You are Mayor Joe Starks from the book Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, and you want more people to relocate to Eatonville, Florida. Identify five amenities that may make Eatonville attractive to African-Americans looking for a place to establish themselves. Using these amenities, draft a thirty to sixty second audio advertisement or draft a one-hundred word advertisement to be published in the Orlando Sentinel.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: It's Time
Description: Students must prepare to be future business professionals. By researching the importance of employee/student time and attendance and creating a brochure, students will gain essential knowledge of practical business practices. The brochure should explain the school's policy, describe the role good/poor attendance plays in the workplace, and describe penalties/rewards.
Subject: English Language Arts (K - 4), Science (3 - 12)
Title: A Journey Through the Trees
Description: The teacher will discuss the importance of trees with the students. The teacher will provide photographs of various trees that grow in Russell Cave National Monument and the surrounding North Alabama area. The teacher will discuss significant features of each tree and pertinent ways to identify them. The collection may include: Dogwood, various Oak, Hickory, Pine, Maple, Cedar, Beech, Elm, and Birch trees. The teacher will take a nature walk with the students in order for each child to choose a tree and do a bark rub. The students will compare their art and write a journal entry in order to describe something they learned about their particular tree.
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: Science (1 - 3), Social Studies (K - 3)
Title: Tad the Tadpole
Description: Tad the Tadpole is designed to demonstrate how pollution in various areas affects wildlife in their native habitats. The lesson is designed to stress the importance of conservation for animals and their surrounding environment. Upon conclusion of the lesson, the students will determine ways they could take care of the environment as opposed to further pollute.
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: Social Studies (2 - 12)
Title: African American Honorees in Alabama History
Description: Students will create a PowerPoint slide show presentation and brochure on a famous African American icon from the Alabama Calendar. Students may select famous African Americans from Alabama such as Rosa Parks, Vonetta Flowers, Dr. Mae Jemison, Joe Louis, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, Rosa Parks, Hank Aaron, Dr. Regina Benjamin, Dr. Ethel Hall, Judge Oscar Adams, Billie Jean Young, George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This lesson was created to accompany the Alabama African American History Calendar Project.
Subject: Social Studies (9 - 12)
Title: Three Principles of Civil Disobedience: Thoreau, Gandhi, and King
Description: Both Mahatmas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. were influenced by Henry David Thoreau's essay, "Civil Disobedience." Have students research and read, using the Internet, the first part of Thoreau's essay. Then have students write an essay analyzing how Thoreau's writing influenced Gandhi and King. Have them include in their essay the following:1. What is the focal point of "Civil Disobedience?"2. Did Gandhi and King agree with everything in Thoreau's essay?3. How did Thoreau's philosophies influence Gandhi and King?4. How did Gandhi influence King?
This lesson was created to accompany the Alabama African American History Calendar Project.
Subject: Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Doppler is Warning You!
Description: This lesson plan is designed to involve students in research about the impact Doppler Radar has made in regards to weather. An original video podcast will be created by groups to teach others about Doppler Radar and the effects it has had on communities in Alabama specifically.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12)
Title: Entrepreneurship
Description: In this lesson, students become entrepreneurs and they will create a community of businesses by selling goods and services for profit. This lesson requires students to work in groups. Each group will have its own business to develop. They will sale consumable goods to their peers for a nominal fee. This lesson allows students to experience a free enterprise system and consumer trade society. All monies collected will be deposited into a local fund account to benefit their CTSO.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12)
Title: Student Loan Application
Description: The Student Loan Application lesson explains the purpose of student loans. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify, obtain, integrate, understand, interpret, apply, and disseminate information used everyday. This lesson plan contains a Financial Aid Component.
Subject: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (9 - 12)
Title: Automotive Brakes Power Assist Units Diagnosis & Repair
Description: This lesson will orient the student to the operation of vacuum operated and hydraulically assisted power booster units. The student will be able to effectively diagnose and repair problems with these systems at the conclusion of the lesson.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: "Teaming Up" to Explore Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession
Description: Students will work on a team to research a variety of newly related accounting careers, including accounting trends in the global market. Then, they will collaborate as a team to create and perform a PowerPoint presentation on their findings.
Subject: Marketing, Sales, and Service (9 - 12)
Title: The Marketing Mix
Description: The purpose of these lessons is to encourage students to apply knowledge of the marketing mix to a variety of real life products and services. The intention is that students should take what they know and use that information in developing an understanding of the blending of the elements of the marketing mix. It also aims to develop the ability to make judgments, given that the student will have to think about the relative importance of the elements of the mix and the way in which different products and services are marketed. The inclusion of services in the list of potential sources of investigation is designed to get students thinking about the impact of the 'additional' three P's - people, process and physical environment.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 1)
Title: RUMOR HAS IT!
Description: Students will use listening skills to relate a message to one another. Students will understand that everything they hear is not accurate. Students will learn that listening and enunciation are important when passing along information.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 1)
Title: PASS IT ON!
Description: Students will associate the letters of the alphabet with nouns. Students will say their words in rhythm while passing a bean bag around a circle. Students will demonstrate their ability to concentrate and think ahead as they increase their speed each time the bean bag passes by. As students continue they will vary the volume and pitch of their voices.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 3), English Language Arts (K)
Title: RHYMING CHARADES K, 1, 2, 3
Description: Students use listening and kinesthetic skills to show their understanding of rhyme. They associate words that rhyme through pantomime. This activity encourages students to use prior knowledge and experience.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: The Giver - Authority
Description: A unit lesson using the book The Giver by Louis Lowry that will have students be researchers and recorders in the process of finding information on Utopian societies, cults and authority.
Students will complete a Powerpoint, Glogster, essay or news broadcast by the conclusion of the essay.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 1)
Title: I Can't Hear You!
Description: Students demonstrate that they are able to use various volumes with their voices. Students show that they understand that certain situations call for certain voice levels. Students show that they can control the level/volume of their voices.
Subject: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (9 - 12)
Title: Automotive Service & Repair Disc Brake Diagnosis and Repair
Description: The student will have general knowledge and practices associated with disc brake repair (2 wheel and 4 wheel disc brake systems) at the conclusion of this lesson.
Subject: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (9 - 12)
Title: Automotive Service Technology- Diagnosis and repair of Drum Brake Systems
Description: The student will gain a general understanding of the theory of drum brake operation as well as hands on practice in the repair and maintenance of drum brake systems
Subject: Arts Education (K - 3)
Title: TRUST ME!
Description: This activity teaches students to build relationships of trust with one another. Students will communicate through eye contact to reach a common goal. The students will learn to work together for successful outcomes.
Subject: Marketing, Sales, and Service (9 - 12)
Title: "P" Shopping at the Grocery Store
Description: In this activity students will explore marketing tools, terminology, and the specific four P's of marketing strategy. After viewing the introductory materials, background content, and completing two brief in class assignments, students will create an imaginary item that would be sold in a grocery store and determine the detailed marketing mix for that product. Students will then present this information to the class with a PowerPoint presentation. Students will have the option to bring in samples of their finished "product".
Subject: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (9 - 12)
Title: Automotive Brake Service- inspecting and machining brake drums
Description: The proper inspection machining or refinishing of brake drums ensures quality brake repairs with little to no opportunity for returns for customer complaints. This lesson will teach inspection, measuring and machining techniques and procedures.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Social Studies (5)
Title: "The Regulars are coming!"
Description: In this lesson, students will review information about Paul Revere and the American Revolution. Students will also determine facts and opinions about the American Revolution. After viewing primary sources, students will complete a journal entry.
Subject: Science (4 - 6), Social Studies (4 - 5)
Title: Forest Habitat (Little River Canyon National Preserve)
Description: Little River Canyon National Preserve's habitat is an Eastern Deciduous Forest. There are a variety of trees and animal life within this biome. It experiences seasonal changes in temperature and precipitation.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 3)
Title: EASY AS ABC!
Description: Students will use the alphabet to take an imaginary trip to the supermarket. They will associate each letter of the alphabet with specific items found in a grocery store. Students will also use letter association to remember each item purchased during the shopping spree
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Build a Solar Hot Water Heater
Description: This exercise will allow the students to explore solar energy by building a simple solar hot water heater with clean two liter soda bottles.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Play It Safe!!!
Description: Students will learn and demonstrate lab safety rules. They will work in groups to create a script and digital video of themselves acting out the incorrect practices of lab safety. The video will then be uploaded for access. Students other that the ones acting will note on paper the lab safety rule that was violated and suggest the proper safety rule.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Picture This!
Description: This lesson plan involves capturing pictures and identifying monocots and dicots. Students will take pictures of plants and tell whether and why they are monocots or dicots. They will site characteristics of monocots and dicots to support their choices.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: PERIODICally Used Elements
Description: This lesson explores the various uses of elements in the periodic table. Students will be assigned an element to research. They will then present its uses and atomic information to the class.
Subject: Arts Education (4 - 5)
Title: Get Yourself in Order!
Description: Students identify events that form a sequence and demonstrate this by showing the steps in a common task. The students will improvise in front of their peers who will attempt to identify the tasks they are improvising. Students will use personal experience and imagination to perform their improvisations.
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Parts of Speech "Blabbers"
Description: Students will create animated images in Blabberize.com to define, explain, and give examples of usage for an assigned part of speech. Teacher will then compile saved video clips into a photostory presentation explaining all eight parts of speech and present final copy for class presentation.
Subject: Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (4 - 6)
Title: Living in the Wild
Description: In this lesson, students will compare and contrast how the Prehistoric Americans lived off the land at Russell Cave and how Sam Gribley from "My Side of the Mountain" lived off the land.
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Should man explore space?
Description: This lesson will bring students through a series of activities so that they will be able to make an informed decision as to whether man should explore space.
Subject: Social Studies (5)
Title: The Effects of the Civil War
Description: Students will work in groups to research the causes of the Civil War, events during the war, and Reconstruction. They will compile their information into a multimedia presentation. They will use research to answer the essential question, "How did the events of the Civil War effect our society today?"
Subject: Science (K - 2), English Language Arts (1 - 2), Arts Education (2)
Title: Camouflage (Predator vs Prey) at Little River Canyon National Preserve
Description: The hunter is the predator while the hunted is the prey. Both animals try to make themselves appear as part of their natural surroundings. Predators do not wish to be seen while hunting and prey want to hide when hunted.
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Constructing Narratives: A Unit Plan for Taking Apart and Reconstructing Stories
Description: This lesson is designed as a project-based unit plan that will take students through the narrative process from deconstruction to construction. After initial discussion, students will use the Interactive Story Map feature at Read Write Think to deconstruct a short story. Students will use pictures to put together a PowerPoint-based storyboard that other students will use to construct a story.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (10)
Title: Going the "Write" Direction
Description: We’ve all gotten bad directions and if the truth were known, we have all given poor directions.So we are going to hone our skills in giving (writing) and following (reading) directions.
Subject: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Career Technical Education Research and Design Engineering Report Outline.
Description: This lesson is designed to help students document their research for a year long capstone project. (Creating an Engineering Report)The students will be following the requirements for the Siemens Math, Science Technology competition. http://www.collegeboard.com/siemens/index.html This activity not only fulfills the course of study (COS) requirements but will give the students the opportunity to apply for a college scholarship offered by the Siemens Corporation. The Siemens Corporation issues out several scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.
This lesson contains a financial aid component.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (8)
Title: Using Exploration and Discovery To Determine the Vertices of Transformed Images
Description: This hands-on lesson uses exploration and discovery to help students determine the coordinates of the vertices of various figures when translated, rotated, or reflected in a coordinate plane. The exploration phase will access students' prior knowledge and prepare them for the assigned task of using and applying their understanding of transformed images to new situations. The final project will be a cooperative activity, requiring collaboration in the application phase to discover the patterns and create graphs following directions unique to each group.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: “My Hometown” - Creating a Virtual Field Trip
Description: Students will become familiar with the history of their hometown while enhancing language arts and developing computer skills.
Subject: Mathematics (K - 1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: "Bursting with Math"
Description: Using "Starburst" jelly beans to sort, graph and add.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: Andy Warhol: Artist to the Masses
Description: This lesson is intended to be a technology-based visual arts project. Parts of the lesson involving technology may be left out in the event certain programs are not available for use. It is a stand-alone lesson that can be extended on when discussing other Pop Artists, or as an introduction to new media types within the art classroom.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: What's in a Cell?
Description: This lesson focuses on the function of organelles through technology integration. The students will identify the various organelles by using an electronic game. Then, they will construct a Prezi (online presentation) and present their findings to the class, which will include a diagram. Also, the students will differentiate between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and define the meaning of those terms throughout the course of the Prezi.
Subject: Social Studies (11), Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (11)
Title: The Challenges and New Inventions of the Great Plains Farmer.
Description: Students will work in groups of four to create presentations using their research on a particular farming invention that was created from (1837-1867) and also research specific elements about life on the Great Plains. Each group's presentation will be merged into a final class presentation.
Subject: English Language Arts (8)
Title: Teaching Tolerance and DiversityThe Diary of Anne Frank
Description: The aims of this unit are to develop an altruistic attitude which enriches the life of the student through enhanced insight into different social patterns and ways of life. I want my students to be reflective thinkers who are principled, open-minded, caring, and balanced communicators. Students will be given the opportunity to use a multimedia tool of their choice to illustrate the knowledge gained through the reading of Anne Frank. Topics for the project will include, but are not limited to; modern day genocide, discrimination of any group of people, diversity in the community and the attitudes presented by the community, and how different cultures impact varying social patterns.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 11), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Digital Story Writing: Cultural Myths
Description: You are a folklorist observing the lives and cultures of different people. You want to tell the world about their culture, beliefs, and values. You and a group of other folklorist are going to research the lives of a an ethnic group, and create a digital story about their lives, and present it to all the folklorist at the "Who are They?" convention.
Subject: Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12), Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Information Literacy (K - 12)
Title: I Owe, I Owe, So Off to Work I Go!
Calculating College Cost Repayment, Budgeting, and Finding Loan Forgiveness Sources
Description: Students often attend college and are faced with the mounting debt incurred from student loans. This lesson plan will guide through calculating repayment for students loans, preparing a monthly budget, and researching options for possible loan forgiveness.
This lesson plan contains a financial aid component.
Subject: English Language Arts (K)
Title: My Very Own Puppy!
Description: The students will participate in a read-a-loud with the teacher by reading the book "Biscuit." The students will learn about taking care of a puppy. Students will also create text to self comparisons by using sentence starters to describe what they do when they don't want to go to bed. Students will then post their sentences into the class blog.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 8)
Title: Rhythm and Solfege Antics!
Description: An introductory lesson to the Zoltan Kodaly method of teaching Rhythm and Sight Singing (Solfege). The lesson includes reading the rhythm tree and understanding its meaning- and then applying it to written notation and patterns made up by the instructor or students.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Introduction to Probability
Description: This lesson encourages the students to learn about probability within a group setting. It allows them to help each other gain a better understanding of how probability works. It teaches how to compute probability of basic problems and how to compute conditional probability.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Discover the Roots of a Polynomial Function
Description: In this lesson, students will be re-introduced to the Four Step Problem - Solving Plan. The plan will be used as a 'checks and balance' tool for discovering the roots (solutions) of polynomial functions. Students will:
*Explore the problem - identify what is given and what they are asked to find.
*Develop a plan - look for a pattern, make a model, solve a simpler but related problem.
*Solve the problem - carry out the plan
*Examine the solution - check the results with the conditions in the problem, check the reasonableness of the solution
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), English Language Arts (12)
Title: I Am What I Learn- Video Scholarship Essay Contest
Description: This lesson provides students with the opportunity to explore a variety of available scholarships to determine which scholarships may be sources of funding for college. Students will create a video essay which will be used to apply for a college scholarship. This lesson plan contains a financial aid component.
Subject: Career Cluster Electives (7 - 8), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grant
Description: Students will understand the importance of filling out the FAFSA application and complete a practice FAFSA.
This lesson has a financial aid component.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Falling Down a Rabbit Hole Can Lead to a King Sized Experience - Exploring Similar Figures Using Proportions
Description: In this lesson, students will explore the concept of similarity. Students will first simplify ratios, solve proportions using the cross product property, and use properties of proportions to solve real-world problems. Similar polygons will then be introduced and their properties used to solve real-world problems.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Parent Functions and Their Children
Description: In this lesson, students will be able to identify parent functions of linear functions, absolute value functions, and quadratic functions. Students will be presented with functions and asked to graph them by first identifying the basic curve and then using transformations. The transformations that will be highlighted in this lesson are translation and reflection. These activities will be done in teams of four students.
Subject: Social Studies (11), English Language Arts (11 - 12), Technology Education (K - 5)
Title: Civil Rights Movement Photo Story Timeline
Description: In this lesson students will be able to explain various events that took place during the Civil Rights Movement. The students will be divided into groups of 5. Each student within the group will receive an individual role of spokesperson, graphic designer, technical director or reporter. The groups will develop a Photo story timeline on four events that took place during the Civil Rights Movement using Microsoft Photo Story 3. This program will allow the students to create incredible multimedia video presentations using still images combined with text, narration and music. Each group will present their Photo Story presentation to the class and the students in the audience will complete an audience input guide.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Google in the Classroom: Using Google Docs to Write for Audience, Context, and Purpose
Description: Students write and digitally publish a weekly newsletter using Google Docs. The content will be a synthesis of interesting issues from their class as well as some outside news and issues which directly impact students. The target audience will be students, faculty, and administration, as well as parents and the larger community.
This lesson is based on the webpage "Writing for Context" by Andrea Zellner.
Subject: Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12)
Title: How to Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Description: Students will research a career and determine educational options and understand how to complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This lesson contains a financial aid component.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12)
Title: College Entrance Exams
Description: The College Entrance Exam lesson is an introduction on how to prepare for college entrance exams. Students will determine which exam they should take in accordance with college requirements for entrance. Students will acquire attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across their lifespan.
Subject: English Language Arts (11)
Title: Personification with "Grass" by Carl Sandburg
Description: Students will be reading the poem "Grass" and identify the main idea and supporting details with a partner. Students will then write a poem using personification.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Persuasive Strategies and Tuck Everlasting
Description: This lesson is a persuasive strategy lesson plan for Tuck Everlasting. It allows the student to incorporate technology in the development of an original thirty second commercial.
Subject: Science (5 - 7), Social Studies (5)
Title: Invasive Plants
Description: Invasive plants are non-native plants that grow in an environment that has no native diseases, parasites, or predators. This allows them to grow rapidly and be destructive to native plants.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6)
Title: Flipping out over Probability!
Description: By flipping a coin, students will explore the relationship between experimental probability and theoretical probability. By working in cooperative groups or pairs, students will examine the probability of outcomes and use this knowledge to predict results in other games of chance and simulations.
A list of books that can be used to teach probability have been included for those teachers that engage students with text other than the mathematics book.
Subject: Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12), Health Science (9 - 12)
Title: Help--How do I pay for my college education?
Description: This lesson is designed to guide students through the process of searching for financial aid information by utilizing technology. This lesson contains a financial aid component.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), English Language Arts (12)
Title: Financing Your College Education-What College Can I Afford?
Description: This lesson provides student with the opportunity to think about financing college by considering the best use of the funding available. Consider pros and cons of attending school in state or out of state. Students should determine which education option they can afford to meet the goal of attending college. This plan contains a financial aid component.
Subject: Education and Training (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Let's Move to College
Description: Moving to college is exciting and stressful. Careful planning and budgeting prior to the move-in day will help eliminate the stress by preparing the college freshman for their new home away from home. Student awareness of financial aid opportunities provides transition from home-to-college with ease. This contains a financial aid component.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Save a buck challenge
Description: Our pipes leak, air drafts push through our windows and walls, light bulbs create more heat than light, and every appliance we have stays plugged in all day long. Of course its our parents who pay the bills, so it doesn't matter. This is a challenge for students to enact the biggest change per cost at home.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: It's Greek To Me!
Description: As part of a study of theatre history, students will do research on Greek theatre. . As a group, students will use websites to gain information about various fairy tales and children's stories. Students will then turn those stories into their own Greek tragedy. Students will then create a video of the "Greek Fairy Tale" and share it with the class.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: A Comparison of Puritan Authors and Their Viewpoints on God and the Devil, PART 2
Description: This lesson is meant to directly follow "A Comparison of Puritan Authors and Their Viewpoints on God and the Devil." Students are introduced to the basic concept of Bloom's Taxonomy of Knowledge, and then asked to apply the taxonomy to the activities they participated in from the previous lesson using Google Docs.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Google in the Classroom: Creating a Book Review using Google Books
Description: Technology-based lesson for a High School English class, incorporating Google Books and Google Docs. Students will choose a book to review, read the book, research other reviews of the same book, and then use Google Docs to create their own review. They will share this review with the teacher on Google Docs, and after receiving approval, they will post the review on Google Books.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Greek Playwright Research Project
Description: As part of a study of the Greek theatre, students will do research on a Greek theatre playwright. Individually, students will use websites to gain information about the playwright and the playwright's effect on the history of theatre. Students will relate social issues addressed in the Greek plays to social issues in the 21st century. Students will then create a Photostory of the playwright to be shared with the class.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Google in the Classroom: How to get the most out of Google Search
Description: Technology based lesson for a High School English class on how to accurately and efficiently research information on the internet using Google Search. Students conduct Web searches on open-ended questions, and draw on their experiences to develop guides to searching effectively and finding reliable information online.This lesson is based on the New York Times article "Just Google It? Developing Internet Search Skills" by Sarah Kavanagh and Holly Epstein Ojalvo from the New York Times website. http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/22/just-google-it-developing-internet-search-skills/
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Book Talks
Description: This lesson is designed to give teachers and students an alternate approach to the traditional book report. "Book Talks" enable students to read a book and create a photostory presentation. Students will give example passages from the book and critique the story.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Know Your Limits
Description: The limit is the fundamental notion of calculus. This underlying concept is the thread that binds together virtually all of the calculus studied by the student. In this lesson, the student's knowledge of limits will be extended using some common language and illustrated ideas through simple examples. The concept of limits will be used to describe functions with specific properties. Additionally, the concept of a limit function is further developed, and theorems for limits are analyzed and applied. Students will refer to these rules as they work through exercises.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Are We There Yet?
Description: Students (groups of 4) will surf the Internet to find 3-5 different protists that use cilia as a means of locomotion, 3-5 that use flagella as means of locomotion, and 3-5 that use pseudopods as a means of locomotion. They will download photographs of them organisms and present them in a PowerPoint presentation to the class.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: To Buy or Not to Buy...
Description: This lesson is designed to give students a hands-on experience in advertising a product. Students will learn the various advertising and propaganda techniques. Students will then work in groups to create a commercial advertising their own product.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: History from Hairspray
Description: Students will conduct an Internet search to find out about specific items, events, and people mentioned in the song lyrics from the movie.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 10)
Title: Unfortunate Fortunato
Description: You are a local police detective, your task is to investigate the disappearance of Fortunata. Retrace his steps leading up to his disappearance. Remember to interview anyone that may have seen him that night. After gathering all of your information, write a detailed missing person's report on behalf of Fortunato's family detaining Fortunato's last day on earth.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (12)
Title: And Then There Were None: Casting the Characters
Description: Students will work in pairs to cast their own movie version of the novel. Students must have a knowledge of the characters and setting from the novel. Casting of the characters must correlate with the character traits mentioned in the book.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 11), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Digital Scrapbook: Symbols and Setting in The Scarlet Letter
Description: Students will be given a list of symbols from the novel and then be asked to photograph images they think represent those symbols.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: New England Literary Travel Brochure
Description: Students will research Internet sites to find places of interest regarding some early American authors. Students will then construct a travel brochure about those sites. Students will include pictures and paraphrased written information about those sites.
Subject: English Language Arts (11)
Title: Character Web with Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Hurston
Description: Students will read "The Inside Search," from Dust Tracks on a Road with a partner creating a character web.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Who Bounces Best?
Description: This is a cooperative learning, kinesthetic and presentation lesson. Students will use the computer to create graphs/charts to display data collected by counting the number of successful bounces when bouncing a basketball for 30 seconds. Students will make predictions and explain them.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Social Studies (12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: To Market, To Market- Learning and Teaching About Investing in Stocks
Description: This is a technology-based lesson to provide students an opportunity to research and select companies to invest in by 'purchasing' stocks. Students are responsible for tracking and reporting results of investments, as well as creating a beginers' guide to investing in the stock market using available web 2.0 tools.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: DNA: The Blueprint of Life
Description: This is a technology based, hands-on Biology lesson on the structure and function of DNA. Students learn the basics about DNA through a powerpoint and then complete a virtual lab on extracting DNA from cheek cells.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (4)
Title: Creating a Prehistoric World
Description: In the lesson, students will research, create, and present knowledge gained about Prehistoric and Historic Native Americans in Alabama.
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: Social Studies (4 - 8), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: A Prehistoric Connection
Description: This lesson plan is an adaptation of Activity 92 from Project Learning Tree.
Students will research the four prehistoric time periods and compare and contrast them with their lives. By doing this, they will recognize the difference between simple subsistence living and modern technology-based living.
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Social Studies (4)
Title: A Father's Life at Russell Cave
Description: In this lesson, students will learn about a father's life at Russell Cave and learn about different writing genres.
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: Arts Education (K), English Language Arts (K)
Title: What a Character!
Description: Kindergarten students will learn what a character is. Students will create characters using feelings, actions, and behavior. They will portray their characters and explain the choices they made to develop them.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Taxonomy: The Importance of Classifying
Description: This is a technology-based, hands-on Biology lesson used to introduce the topic of Taxonomy and the importance of classifying. Students will listen to a podcast about classifying every living thing on Earth. Students will then give some examples of classification used everyday. They will then complete a hands-on lab classifying fingerprints.
Subject: Science (6), Social Studies (5 - 6)
Title: Where am I?
Description: This lesson teaches one of the geography themes called location. Students will learn about absolute location and relative location as they search the globe.
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: Social Studies (K - 2), Physical Education (K - 2)
Title: Treasure Hunt
Description: Get hands-on with students in building a map with a class. Take students outside to a sandbox and work with them to build a map of campus. Once the map is drawn you can turn their design into a treasure hunt to assess map interpretation.
Subject: English Language Arts (11)
Title: Propaganda Fun
Description: Students will learn various propaganda techniques and create commercials in cooperative learning groups.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Science (1)
Title: Science Writing with Author Lois Ehlert
Description: This is an interdisciplinary language development unit addressing science and language arts standards designed for English Language Learners. In the week-long unit students will learn the life cycle of plants and discuss various uses for plants. They will also use the writing of a renowned children's author, Lois Ehlert, as a model for their own writing. During the final project students will follow the writing process. The lesson format follows the Sheltered English Instructional Observation Protocol (SIOP).
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: What Is Simple And Compound Interest and How Can I Make It Work For Me?
Description: Students will learn how simple and compound interest is figured and why it is important to maintain a savings account. Students will calculate compound interest to identify benefits of saving in interest-bearing savings accounts. They will learn the "Rule of 72" which states that your savings will double in a specified number of years. Students will learn how to become a millionaire when they retire by investing in a high-yield interest bearing investment strategy while they are in their 20's.
Subject: Marketing, Sales, and Service (9 - 12)
Title: How Much Will College Cost Me?
Description: Students will research the cost of college by comparing a 2-year and a 4-year institution via the Internet. Students will follow-up with a presentation and prepare a monthly budget. This lesson plan contains a financial aid component.
Subject: Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12)
Title: What is Your Future Worth?
Description: This lesson gives students the opportunity to take a hands-on approach in determining the worth of their future. Students will research and compile information about their personality, career interest/goal, begin the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) process and establish a plan of action to meet their goals.
This lesson plan contains a financial aid component.
Subject: English Language Arts (11), Technology Education (9 - 12), Social Studies (9 - 12)
Title: Research Project: American Heroes - Collaborative Education
Description: This lesson is designed to help students of all backgrounds learn to work together in groups to complete a research paper assignment. This is a collaborative based lesson plan that challenges students to work together to complete the assignment as a warm-up to the individual research paper required at the end of the term. It is a technology-based lesson with student presentations and student guided research. It is a cross curriculum based lesson with areas of history and technology integrated within the lesson's content.
Subject: Social Studies (7 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Impact of Political Debates in the Television Age
Description: This technology-based lesson encourages active engagement in the state elections process as part of a unit to prepare for debates to be held in the Fall of 2010. The lesson may also be adapted for use as a stand alone lesson. Student groups research television debates from 1960-2008 and collaborate on a wiki to present an overview of each debate and analyze the impact of these political debates on elections. Other lessons in this unit are Why Vote?, How Do You Vote:What Do You Need to Know to Vote in Alabama?, and Analyzing Gubernatorial Debates: The 2010 Election.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12)
Title: Financial Aid
Description: The Career/Tech lesson on Financial Aid is an introduction to the process of applying for financial assistance for college. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify, obtain, integrate, understand, interpret apply and disseminate information used everyday. Students should be in their senior year for best results. This lesson plan contains a Financial Aid component.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: A Closer Look at Value: Self-Portraits
Description: This lesson will introduce students to the basic editing tools of Photoshop, which will be used in preparation for a large graphite self-portrait drawing. The students will learn about value and proportion and will employ the grid drawing technique in order to enlarge and reproduce an image of themselves.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Figure it out...
Description: This is an Internet-based (online) and group discussion lesson. Students will learn the formulas for surface area and volume of cylinders and cones. Students should have previously learned how to determine the area for a circle; however, this lesson will review that particular process.
Subject: Human Services (9 - 12), Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12)
Title: College Planning for High School Freshmen
Description: This lesson is designed to prepare high school freshmen for goal-setting and financial planning opportunities for college. Students will create a college planning portfolio. This lesson contains a financial aid component.
Subject: Human Services (9 - 12)
Title: Monopoly Matters
Description: Students will apply learning opportunities from playing the board game Monopoly to personal financial planning. This lesson includes financial planning components.
Subject: Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12), Education and Training (9 - 12)
Title: Avoiding Scholarship Scams
Description: Every year, thousands of students and parents are defrauded by scholarship scams. By understanding how scholarship scams work, students can better arm themselves against scholarship scam artists. For this lesson, students will create a top 10 list of scholarship scams that will be presented as a school public service announcement, at parent open house, or at a CTSO meeting. This lesson contains a financial aid component.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12), English Language Arts (11), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Literary Graffiti with poetry
Description: Students will read and analyze a poem by creating Literary Graffiti in cooperative learning groups.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (10 - 11)
Title: Video Resume
Description: Students will construct an ongoing list of their accomplishments. Students will videotape each other presenting their achievements.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Social Studies (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Extra, Extra!! Mary Rowlandson's Captivity Newscast
Description: This lesson will be an interdisciplinary lesson that involves both English Language Arts and Social Studies (History). The lesson will be primarily technology-based and also project-based that will have the students performing historical research and developing a "photo-story" through a PowerPoint presentation for their own newscast. The lesson will be part of a larger unit that combines literature from the early 1600s through the 1800s, and will primarily focus on the encounters and relationships of European explorers with the Native American life in North America. The lesson, in particular, will look at the Puritan life and beliefs, and how this life style influenced history, literature, and one woman's captivity with the Native American Indian tribe of the Wampanoag. Through research and analysis of the captivity narrative of Mary Rowlandson, the students will compose a newscast that will track the history of the events of King Philip's War and tie those events into a narrow report on Mary Rowlandson's actual captivity through the "removes" that she details in her narrative.
Subject: English Language Arts (2)
Title: Getting to Know Characters: Lilly and Other Kevin Henkes Friends
Description: In this language development lesson using the books by Kevin Henkes English Language Learners learn vocabulary and language structures to express feelings, make text-to-self connections, and practice the reading strategy of analyzing characters. In the final project students create a character of their own. This lesson format follows the Sheltered English Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP).
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: Screenprint & Poetry
Description: Students will create a design based on a work of poetry. They will visually represent the concept of the poem or a critical portion of the poem in a screenprinted design.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: A Child's Dream
Description: Students will be assigned a class book or given the option to select their favorite childhood tale. They will be asked to create an illustration using gouache and wood. The final result should be in the tone of the story and full of imagination.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: My City, My Perspective
Description: Students will create a drawing of a local architectural structure. Students will use a photo and add grid and perspective lines. Students will then execute a drawing that clearly demonstrates the illusion of 3D space on the 2D surface.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: Me in 3
Description: Students will select three forms or objects that represent who they are or their major interests. They will get photo references of the items and create fimo sculptures that will be combined into a unified work of art. Students will use complementary colors for objects to create intensity and interest.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Searching for and Citing Digital Sources for Research Paper using MLA Style
Description: Students will locate, retrieve, store, and correctly cite digital information for research projects.
Subject: Health Education (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Day We Ate Donuts
Description: Introduce students to scientific inquiry using nutrition as the guideline. This lesson provides a hands-on way for students to experience the effects of different nutrition choices.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12), English Language Arts (11)
Title: Reader's Theater with "Death of the Hired Man" by Robert Frost
Description: Students will read the poem "Death of the Hired Man" in cooperative learning groups using Reader's Theater to obtain a better understanding of the author's use of characterization through dialogue.
Subject: Arts Education (2)
Title: Note Names on the Staff
Description: Students will learn the letter names of notes on the treble staff using slogans. They will practice saying the slogans and naming notes on the staff.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), Science (K)
Title: Sense Suspense
Description: In this language development lesson, Kindergarten ELLs learn the five senses, classify objects using the five senses, and create an ABC book modeled after Bruce McMillan's Sense Suspense in which they demonstrate their learning.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Social Studies (5)
Title: Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion
Description: Students engage in a discussion of "Manifest Destiny" using a timeline of events from 1830 - 1860, and a biographical sketch of a real person who lived during that time period. During the discussion, students will use the biography to interpret and infer how the real person might have felt. A discussion guide is provided. Students provide a written answer to the final discussion question to summarize their understanding of the issue.
Subject: Social Studies (12)
Title: Comparative Economic Systems
Description: Students will work in cooperative learning groups to examine the similarities and differences in capitalism, socialism, and communism. They will do research to meet specific requirements of elements that must be included in a presentation. Students will present their work using PowerPoint or similar presentation software.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 1)
Title: High Sounds and Low Sounds
Description: Students will sing high sounds and low sounds. They will listen to different sounds and identify whether the sounds are high or low. They will sort pictures into groups of objects that make high sounds and low sounds.
Subject: Arts Education (2), Mathematics (2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Who Do You Think You Are?
Description: Students will demonstrate an understanding of character through improvisation. Students will imagine and clearly describe their characters through performance. They will relate a character's actions and emotions and create a setting.
Subject: Arts Education (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Who Are You Looking At?
Description: This lesson allows students to brain storm and use kinesthetic learning. The primary focus of the lesson is to teach young drama students how relationships with others and interactions with their environment help when developing a theatrical character. Students will also make connections on how the relationships, actions, and interactions of characters in literature make stories more interesting.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 2)
Title: Forte and Piano
Description: Students will learn the definitions of forte and piano. They will describe music they hear as being forte or piano. They will classify pictures that represent sounds into groups of forte and piano. They will watch a video to learn a singing game using forte and piano.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12)
Title: Experiencing The Day of the Dead
Description: These activities will allow students to expand their horizons by experiencing an important holiday to Spanish speaking cultures. With this project and assignment the students will learn the purpose behind Day of the Dead, how it is celebrated, which Spanish speaking culture celebrates it versus others, and what it means to the culture.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 8)
Title: "My Three Words" vodcast compilation or series
Description: Students create vodcasts that use the format of the Good Morning America feature "My Three Words". This works well as a culminating activity for a unit or a technology-based project. In groups, students select a three word phrase to communicate a specific topic/idea, then create a storyboard and choose appropriate multimedia elements to best express their chosen phrase. They use a variety of software applications to find or create images and produce a video file.
Subject: Science (1 - 3), Social Studies (1 - 3)
Title: Fred the Fish - A Little River Trip
Description: Little River is home to 47 kinds of fish including the threatened "Blue Shiner" Cyprinella caerulea. These fish depend on the good water quality at Little River. This skit allows students to observe pollution's effects on a small scale and allows them to make choices affecting the environment. This lesson plan is adapted from Chilton-Stringham, Patricia and Wolanin, Jan (1991). National Science Teachers Association, Karen K. Lind (Eds.) Water, Stones, and Fossil Bones (pp. 54-57).
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: Education and Training (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Ages and Stages of Growth: Infancy to Adolescence
Description: This lesson is a study of the milestones children should achieve at certain ages in development. It involves studying physical, emotional, social and intellectual development of children from infancy to adolescence. Students will be required to create a digital photo presentation of their childhood as part of this study.
Subject: Arts Education (4 - 5)
Title: Instrument Families of the Orchestra: String
Description: This lesson is the first lesson in a series of four lessons on the instrument families of the orchestra. Students will learn the characteristics and sounds of the instruments in the String Family of the Orchestra. They will identify the instruments by sight and sound. They will be able to name instruments from highest to lowest sound production.
Subject: Arts Education (1)
Title: Line Notes and Space Notes
Description: Students will learn to recognize notes on the staff as being on a line or in a space. They will identify the number of lines and spaces on a staff.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Understanding Solar Energy. Part 1
Description: This lesson discusses how electromagnetic radiation transfer the sun's energy to earth. This lesson will also talk about the eight types of electromagnetic waves in the electromagnetic spectrum and how each type is used or found in our everyday life.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Touch and Feel: Plant Adaptations
Description: This introductory lesson centers on getting hands-on before getting drug into the vocabulary and nomenclature. In cooperative learning groups students will describe leaves in simple terms. Then, students will use various resources for specific identification of leaves.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Social Studies (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Prehistoric Climate Change
Description: Learn about prehistoric climate change and how it is similar to today's environmental concerns. They will learn to work cooperatively in groups and learn to conduct slide show presentations.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Shakespeare/Romeo & Juliet Wiki
Description: Students will self-select a teacher-supplied topic and work collaboratively with group members from their class, as well as group members from other classes (or schools) to create a wiki demonstrating their knowledge of Shakespeare, his times, social customs, writing, language, historical significance, and Romeo & Juliet. Students will research, write, edit, and correctly cite their information. Each group will communicate through e-mail, forums, instant messaging and other forms of electronic communication in their collaborative effort. Upon completion, each group will present their work to their classmates and the wiki will be available for viewing by parties outside the classroom.
Subject: Science (4 - 5), English Language Arts (4 - 5)
Title: Venomous Snakes of Little River Canyon National Preserve
Description: There are three known venomous snakes found at Little River Canyon. They include the timber rattlesnake, copperhead, and cottonmouth.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Physical Education (4), Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Field Challenge Strategy Game: Plant Adaptations
Description: Use a game to challenge students to understand the fight for sunlight, nutrients, and water. This simple strategy game encourages students to balance ability with need in taking over an open field. Succession is the end game.
Subject: English Language Arts (11), Science (9 - 12)
Title: A Worn Path by Eudora Welty
Description: Students will read A Worn Path by Eudora Welty recording important events with a partner and then create a bio-poem on Pheonix.
Subject: Education and Training (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Divorce: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!
Description: This lesson identifies reasons couples divorce, and the effects of the divorce on children. Movies and music will be utilized in this study to emphasize the importance of preventing children from self-blame and guilt. Students will create an audio podcast as part of this lesson to be posted on the school web site.
Subject: Science (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Evidence of Chemistry
Description: The students will learn to identify evidence that a chemical reaction has taken place. They will use the Internet to research evidence and find examples. They will look around their school and neighborhood for examples. They will perform experiments in the science lab. The students will make a podcast, slideshow presentation, or a digital story board to show the types of evidence they collected and examples of each.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9 - 10), Education and Training (9 - 12), Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Teen Parent: Don't Just Let It Happen
Description: This lesson addresses facts and fiction about teen pregnancy. It is an in-depth look into the social and financial challenges of teen parenting. It includes a cost analysis of a baby's first year of life. Be aware the subject of this lesson is sensitive, it includes research and discussions about sex, birth control, and the consequences of teen pregnancy. The lesson has a financial student aid component which allows teens to research opportunities to further their education through grants, scholarships or student loans, and involves filling out the Federal Application for Student Aid.
Subject: Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12), Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12), Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Understanding Your Paycheck!
Description: This lesson is for students to understand forms to be filled out when beginning their first job. Further it is an analysis of the paycheck. Systematic deductions will be analyzed to gain an understanding of the purpose from the perspective of the employee.
Subject: Education and Training (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9), Human Services (9 - 12)
Title: College Bound: Moving Out!
Description: High school student's research preparing to leave home, for the workforce or college. This lesson has a financial aid component to determine financial needs for attending college. Students will learn to make informed decisions about renting a place to live and obtaining a credit card as they become more independent.
Subject: Science (5 - 6), English Language Arts (5), Information Literacy (K - 12)
Title: River's Path
Description: What determines the path of a river? Rivers follow the path of least resistance changing the landscape by carrying sediment and debris along the way.
Subject: English Language Arts (7 - 10)
Title: Hands, Hands, Hands - Writing a Narrative Essay from the Perspective of a Particular Hand
Description: The teacher will show pictures of six hands to students. (See attachment) After a brainstorming session, students will choose one hand that illustrates a particular story from their life. Then, students will write a two page narrative essay about this story. These stories will be posted on a class blog to allow for feedback and discussion from classmates.
Subject: Social Studies (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Will You Join a Special Interest Group?
Description: Students will create a brochure aimed at recruiting members of a special interest group. After selecting a group to research from a list that is attached, students will use the Internet to research the group, identify the primary objectives of the group and the group's accomplishments. Students then will publish a brochure aimed at recruiting prospective members.
Subject: English Language Arts (7 - 9), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Poetry and Music Fun with Chris Daughtry
Description: This language arts lesson grabs students' attention by incorporating a popular musician. The lyrics to "Over You" include vivid language that makes identifying figures of speech intriguing. The students will identify similes, metaphors, and hyperbole within the lyrics. The students will analyze the lyrics and create an MP3 file or podcast with their analysis.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (7 - 9)
Title: Analyzing and Recreating Poetry with William Wordsworth
Description: This language arts lesson incorporates collaboration and analysis of poetry. The students will utilize drawing and analysis. The lesson also incorporates synthesis by having the students recreate Wordsworth's poem.The students will recreate personal photos on Aviary to make them more vivid.
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Marshmallow and Pretzel Sensory Writing
Description: This language arts lesson applies hands-on materials to help students apply the sensory details need for writing. It also incorporates writing skills for comparing and contrasting. In addition, students will utilize Thinkfinity Interactive to write poetry using sensory words.
Subject: Arts Education (K)
Title: I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly
Description: Students will learn about cumulative songs by singing "I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly". They will keep a steady beat with rhythm instruments, and choose expressive movement for the song.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12), English Language Arts (10 - 11), Social Studies (9 - 12)
Title: Design Storm
Description: This is a project that focuses on the practical application of the production concept. Students work in team of three (a director, a scenic designer, and a costume designer) to develop and illustrate their own production concept for a production of Romeo and Juliet. This is an advanced lesson intended to be used at the end of a basic theatre class or in an advanced class.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: Following Stage Directions
Description: This lesson teaches the beginning actor basic stage directions and stage positions. Additionally, each student will learn the concept and practice of sharing, giving, and taking the stage.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Poetry Slam
Description: Students will locate a poem of their choice from a designated website to interpret. Students will then search the Internet for performances of the poem they select. In addition to creating a written interpretation of the poem, including references to websites they visited to view other performances, students will perform the poem of their choice before a live audience. Prior to their performance, students will create posters using Glogster to advertise the slam. As audience members, students will evaluate the performance of their peers.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Who Wants to Know the Periodic Table?
Description: The purpose of the project is to help the students gain an in depth knowledge of the Periodic Table of Elements. The periodic table is the very backbone of chemistry. In order for the students to be successful in chemistry, they must be able to understand, apply, interpret and evaluate the Periodic Table of Elements. In order to successfully meet this goal, students must do more than merely write a paper or read the textbook. The project will require research, critical thinking, application of knowledge, evaluation of facts and data, creativity, and the use of technology.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Yo! The Slaves Have Gotta Go!
Description: In this lesson, students will explore the events leading up to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. Students will work collaboratively to research and report their findings.
Subject: Human Services (9 - 12)
Title: Chemical Hair Relaxing
Description: In this lesson we will be exploring the world of chemical relaxing. This lesson will serve as a basic guide to the process of using chemicals to permanently straighten the hair. Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to apply a chemical relaxer accurately.
Subject: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (9 - 12)
Title: Automotive Brake Service-Constructing a Brake Trainer
Description: A brake trainer can be a valuable assett to teaching students about automotive brakes. On the vehicle brake systems are embedded and difficult to see in the "big picture" of brake systems.
Subject: Social Studies (7 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Let's Vote! What Do You Need to Know to Vote In Alabama?
Description: Registering to vote, gathering information about the candidates, and casting a vote at the polls are vital parts of the process of selecting elected officials. Students will understand how the registration process works and how to cast their votes in Alabama, thus fulfilling their responsibilities as citizens in the electorate.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Edible Plate Tectonics
Description: As we stand on the top layer of our planet it is a little difficult to get hands-on with plate tectonics. This activity uses layered cake to allow students an up close representation of how major land features have been created.
Subject: Arts Education (4 - 5)
Title: Instrument Families of the Orchestra: Brass
Description: This lesson is the third lesson in a series of four lessons on the instrument families of the orchestra. Students will learn the characteristics and sounds of the instruments in the brass family of the orchestra. They will identify the instruments by sight and sound. They will be able to name instruments in order from highest to lowest sound.
Subject: Social Studies (11)
Title: Experiencing Ellis Island - An Interactive Immigration Project
Description: Make Ellis Island come alive for U.S. history students by processing younger students in a recreation of the immigration center. Recreate the uncertainty, fear, and confusion many immigrants experienced by arranging a variety of stations in a large open space. Then open Ellis Island to visitors and allow time for reflection and discussion after all immigrants have been processed.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Social Studies (9 - 12), English Language Arts (11)
Title: Holocaust Research Project
Description: Students will create a slide presentation in cooperative learning groups proving that the Holocaust did indeed occur.
Subject: Social Studies (7 - 12)
Title: What does the President of the United States do?
Description: Students will create a wiki page that reflects the President of the United States fulfilling five of his formal or informal roles. Students will use the Internet to visit the White House Photo Gallery and capture shapshots of the President of the United States fulfilling his roles. Students will create a Wiki page on which they display pictures of the President fulfilling his roles and identify the role being fulfilled.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: Dancing Colors
Description: Dancing Colors teaches students gesturing, drawing the illusion of motion, and color schemes. Students look at photos or life models and create a drawing of a dancer in motion. Students then add color to the the drawing based on a choosen color scheme.
Subject: Science (8)
Title: Get In The Mix
Description: Students will be able to classify a mixture as homogeneous or heterogeneous. Students will be able to create a solution. Students will be able to identify the solute. Students will be able to identify the solvent. Students will be able to create a heterogeneous mixture.
Subject: Social Studies (9 - 12)
Title: Presidential Election Partners - Deciding on a Candidate Through an Online Discussion with the Community
Description: As a presidential election approaches, have students recruit an adult "election partner" to discuss and debate candidate selection and important issues related to the campaign. Becoming an active participant in the civic process takes practice. Students will have the opportunity to practice for future participation in presidential elections with the help of an election partner.
Subject: Human Services (9 - 12)
Title: "Tables Gone Wild"
Description: What's going on with this "Wild Table?" This lesson is designed to help the learner work collabaratively, creatively as well as separately to properly set the dinner table. This lesson will also infuse ways to make the table relevant to seasonal or home decor while interjecting clever "Wild" ways to remember placements of dinnerware and flatware.
This lesson will also interject proper usage of kitchen equipment while keeping things sanitary and safe for the entire family!
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12)
Title: ¡A La Restaurante!
Description: This is an activity to test the strength of the students. It allows students to exercise everything that they have learned throughout the school year. It is suitable for Spanish I-Spanish IV students. It is an end-of-the-year activity and can be used as a project or final exam. Students will take a field trip to a Mexican restaurant and speak in total Spanish to test their knowledge of the language.
Subject: Physical Education (2 - 3), Social Studies (2 - 3)
Title: Capture the Flag
Description: Try this twist on a schoolyard favorite. Teams are given incomplete maps and need to read the map in order to find the pieces of the map covering enemy territory. Only then can they seek out their opponents flag to win.
Subject: Education and Training (7 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Party Time! Excellent!: Planning a Kid's Birthday Party
Description: In this five-day lesson, students will plan a birthday party for a child (age 5-10 years of age). Each group (based on kitchen groups) will create an on-line invitation, decorate the room, and bake and decorate a cake for the party. At the end of the week, your principal will be begging for an invitation to the best party in town!
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: Acting - The Contentless Scene
Description: The Contentless Scene is a wonderful method for exploring the foundations of acting: objectives, obstacles, tactics. Additionally, the actors have the opportunity to work with vulnerability, projection, and the person-to-person contact and tactical interplay that characterize dynamic relationships.
Subject: English Language Arts (11)
Title: FDR's War Message to Congress - Fact or Opinion
Description: Students will read FDR's War Message to Congress with a partner recording important details as fact or opinion.
Subject: Physical Education (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Run Around the World
Description: Students developing new fitness programs have to balance increased ability with increased risk. This lesson teaches the student to create a running/biking path using Google Earth. The student can then discuss safety parameters along the course in a presentation to the class.
Subject: Social Studies (7 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Analyzing Gubernatorial Debates: The 2010 Election
Description: This technology-based lesson encourages active engagement in the state electoral process. Students collaborate on a wiki designed to aid in analyzing candidates' responses in a gubernatorial debate. Pre-debate and post-debate activties are included and may be adapted for use in either 7th Grade Civics or 12th Grade United States Government.
The 2010 Gubernatorial Debates will be held on September 16th at the University of Alabama and October 19th at Auburn University. The debates will be televised and are Co-sponsored by the Student Government Associations of The University of Alabama and Auburn University, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program, and the League of Women Voters of Alabama, Greater Tuscaloosa, and East Alabama.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: My Story Quilt
Description: The art educated student describe a personal life event.
The art educated student will create a quilt based on their personal story.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: Altering Reality
Description: Students will take digital photos. Photos will be printed on a toner-based basic black and white laser printer. Students will take images and alter them to create a new and exciting visual experience.
Subject: Human Services (9 - 12)
Title: Haircutting
Description: In this lesson, students will learn to incorporate elements and principles of hair design to enhance facial shapes. The students will be able to relate hairstyles and facial structures to provide optimal hair designs for males and females.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12)
Title: Reading Really Is Fundamental!
Description: Knowing how to read the language is just as important as knowing how to speak it. This activity is geared towards reading comprehension, correct pronunciation of words, and translation of the words that are read. This activity will also include Geography of Puerto Rico and history behind cultural items associated with Puerto Rico. This activity can be used for students at the Spanish I level and higher.
Subject: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12)
Title: Automotive Brake Service-inspecting and Machining a Disc Brake Rotor Off the Vehicle.
Description: The proper inspection machining or refinishing of disc brake rotors ensures quality brake repairs with little to no opportunity for returns for customer complaints. This lesson will teach inspection, measuring and machining techniques and procedures.
Subject: Social Studies (3), Arts Education (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Topography of Fruit
Description: This is an attempt to help students understand contour lines in map-making through the vector of digital photography. This hands-on activity will create an art piece out of fruit that will be analyzed to create topographic maps.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Wearing Away the Mountains
Description: The Tennessee River Gorge outside Chattanooga is recognized as a protected biosphere reserve by the United Nations due it its immense proportion of species to acres. Understanding the formation of the gorge helps explain why so many plants and animals call it home. This activity allows students to work in cooperative groups and inquire about the processes that made it possible.
Subject: Education and Training (7 - 8), Health Education (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Using Technology To Wash Your Hands!
Description: In this lesson, students will create a podcast to demonstrate their knowledge on proper hand washing techniques. Students will encourage others through an original rap song about the benefits of proper hand washing.
Subject: Human Services (9 - 12)
Title: Introduction to Nail Care Applications
Description: In this lesson, students will be able to explore the world of nails. Students will learn the importance of sanitizing their hands and disinfecting tools and surfaces.
Subject: Social Studies (7 - 12)
Title: Elephant or Donkey? Examining the Republican or Democratic Party Platform
Description: Students will visit the websites for the National Republican and National Democratic Party. Students will choose topics of interest to them and compare the positions of both parties on the topic. Students will complete a graphic organizer to take notes on the party position and then use those notes to write about which party's position they personally most closely align.
Subject: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12)
Title: Automotive Brake Service-inspecting and machining a disc brake rotor on-the-vehicle
Description: The proper inspection machining or refinishing of disc brake rotors ensures quality brake repairs with little to no opportunity for returns for customer complaints. This lesson will teach inspection, measuring and machining techniques and procedures.
Subject: English Language Arts (11)
Title: Character Metaphors - The Great Gatsby
Description: The students will explore characters by creating metaphors with pictures. Using a gingerbread styled template and pictures collected from magazines, clip art, or other sources, the students will paste pictures which represent specific qualities of a character. Students should explain how each picture is a metaphor for a character, and why the picture is pasted in the that particular area of the body.
Subject: Social Studies (6), English Language Arts (6)
Title: Save the Forest
Description: President Theodore Roosevelt believed in the need for conservation and was called America's first environmental president. What steps did he take to help preserve the environment and its natural resources? Today we can enjoy the beauty of our nation in national parks like the Little River Canyon National Preserve.
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Surface Water Testing
Description: In this environmental science lab you will chemically test a nearby creek or pond for dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, hardness and turbidity. This is a field test and will determine the water quality of standing body of water. The lab will also test for the presence of coliform bacteria.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Education and Training (7 - 8), Health Education (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: It IS Easy Being "Green"- Part I of III
Description: In this two-day lesson, students will learn what "Going Green" means, including how to utilize sustainable resources. Students will work in groups (selected at random) and research pros and cons of changing their lifestyle. This is the first lesson of a three-part unit.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Social Studies (12)
Title: Keeping Up With the Alabama Legislature: Legislative Update Wiki Project
Description: This technology-based lesson encourages active engagement in the state legislative process. Students participate on a wiki designed to follow the progress of legislation as it moves through the state legislature. It is conducted during the Legislative session and concludes at the end of the session. Sessions will start in either January or February depending on whether or not it is an election year.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12)
Title: Jeopardy en Español
Description: This activity can be used any time of the school year as a fun way to assist students and motivate them to know the correct pronunciation, spelling, and definition of given vocabulary words. The activity is a unique way to teach the Spanish language vocabulary in a competitive yet healthy learning environment that will include teamwork and individual thinking skills combined. Jeopardy en Español will really excite your students and their day!
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: How High Did My Rocket Go?
Description: This is a lab in which the students will calculate the height of an air or water rocket by using trigonometry.
Subject: Social Studies (7 - 12)
Title: "I'm Just a Bill": Reading and Writing Legislation for a Congressional Simulation
Description: Students will examine current and recently introduced Congressional legislation using the Thomas search engine. After reading legislation, students will write and post their proposed legislation for peer editing and comment. This lesson is part of a larger Congressional Simulation but may be used independently if necessary.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1)
Title: Cookie Jar Subtraction
Description: In this language development subtraction lesson English Language Learners will learn and practice using vocabulary and sentence structures for subtraction. The lesson incorporates technology, hands-on manipulatives, and multiple opportunities for interaction to engage students in the math content. The format follows the Sheltered English Instructional Protocol (SIOP).
Subject: Arts Education (4 - 5)
Title: Instrument Families of the Orchestra: Woodwind
Description: This lesson is the second lesson in a series of four lessons on the instrument families of the orchestra. Students will learn the characteristics and sounds of the instruments in the woodwind family of the orchestra. They will identify the instruments by sight and sound, and group instruments according to single reed, double reed, and no reed.
Subject: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12)
Title: Automotive Brakes Hydraulic System Diagnosis
Description: The hydraulic distribution system is the heart of the brake system. The effects of Pascal's Law allow for vehicles weighing many thousands of pounds to be brought to a stop with minimal effort. Understanding of hydraulics is the keystone to successful brake repair.
Subject: Science (K - 5)
Title: Little River Canyon's Carnivorous Green Pitcher Plants
Description: A digital slide program introduces the Green Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia oreophila) to the students. Students use a model of the Green Pitcher Plant and plastic insects to role play. They will tell the story of habitat adaptation and interaction around the pitcher plant bog. Pitcher Plants and the animals in the neighborhood have lives interconnected to the environment.
This lesson plan is made possible through the ALEX and the U.S. National Park Service Partnership.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (9)
Title: IT'S IN THE BAG!
Description: Students will view a PowerPoint presentation on the effects of plastics in our environment and hold a debate evaluating the pros and cons of using plastic bags. They will also construct plastic bag animals using chicken wire, plastic bags, and spray paint while creating a podcast of the project.
Subject: Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12)
Title: Identity Theft: Protect Yourself!
Description: Teens and adults are potential targets for identity theft. Students learn to minimize risk associated with this crime. Research will be performed to understand the effects of someone taking control of your name. Once identity theft has occurred. How do you clear your name?
Subject: Human Services (9 - 12), Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Fashion Entrepreneur: Take a Chance on Yourself
Description: This lesson focuses on fashion entrepreneurship. Students take a personality profile to determine who are risk takers or think outside the box. An Internet search will indicate job opportunities available in the fashion and design area. Students are to envision a new business and develop a business plan proposal. There is a financial aid component in this lesson that includes a search for scholarships, grants, work study programs, and loans to fund higher education.
Subject: Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: My Future Life: Let's Get Real
Description: This lesson requires students to select a career and explore the requirements for their potential job. They will work with a reality life situation of married versus single, number of children and challenge events. Students will determine earnings, purchase a home, car and figure monthly living expenses. Students are to create a digital photo presentation to share their future life with classmates. There is a financial aid component embedded in this lesson, also this is a unit of instruction which will take approximately one week for completion.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Movie Madness
Description: This language arts projects motivates students through being a movie-based project. This lesson will have a duration of five days. The students will view a movie of their choice and analyze the movie to complete a chart listing literary elements for them to identify. Then the students will create a PowerPoint presentation based on the chart and present the information to the class.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: Snapshots: Creating Stage Pictures
Description: This is a project that utilizes stage directions, actor positions, and staging guidelines to help the beginning actor develop the skills necessary to group stage pictures (snapshots). Students are given a variety of prompts that build upon one another and illustrate sound methods for creating dynamic actor groups on stage. This lesson continues the actor's development on focus and giving and taking as elements of performance.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 12)
Title: A Creative Twist to The Tragedy of Macbeth
Description: A Creative Twist to The Tragedy of Macbeth is a project that gives students an opportunity to express their understanding of Macbeth through their artistic ability. The activity appeals to the learning style of all students by allowing the students to establish their position as the reviewer of the play The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Subject: English Language Arts (K)
Title: Who's At The Zoo? Mammals, Reptiles, and Birds!
Description: In this week-long language development unit, Kindergarten English Language Learners will learn to identify science facts in nonfiction books. Students will sort zoo animals into mammals, reptiles, and birds. They will practice listening for facts and writing what they learn. The lesson format follows the Sheltered English Observation Protocol (SIOP).
Subject: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (9 - 12)
Title: Automotive Service- Completing a work order
Description: The proper creation of a work order or customer record is essential to the repair process. Whether this is accomplished with a computer based program or pen and paper; the document is only valuable when it is completely filled out with all information verified.
Subject: Social Studies (7 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Why Vote?
Description: Students will complete a web quest that includes reading material on the expansion of voting rights, viewing video on historical events related to suffrage, and completing a multimedia project (public service announcement). An extension poster project is included.
Subject: Science (4), Social Studies (7), Technology Education (3 - 8)
Title: Let Them Eat Cake! - Topography Lesson
Description: Contour lines on topographic maps require visual processing to read and interpret. This hands-on activity helps give a tasty mental image.
Subject: Social Studies (12)
Title: The Role and Function of the Conference Committee in the Legislative Process
Description: Students will use C-SPAN to observe short film clips of a Congressional conference committee in action. Students will hear the rules under which the committee functions and hear debate regarding aspects of the bill. Finally, students will read the House and Senate versions of the bill currently in conference, seek differences in the bills passed in both houses and recommend a compromise proposal to resolve one of the differences.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: Suminagashi Self Portrait
Description: Suminagashi is the perfect backdrop for a self portrait. Using contour, color, and the dynamics of movement students can uniquely represent themselves both through realistic and abstract imagery.
The word “Suminagashi” translates literally as “spilled ink.” Centuries before the art of marbleizing papers was practiced in Western cultures, Japanese craftsmen created patterns by floating ink on the surface of water and transferring it to a sheet of paper. Because the nature of water is ever-changing and constantly moving, Suminagashi printers are viewed as great masters of control. Each mono-print is like a fingerprint — unique and unreproducible.
Subject: Social Studies (11)
Title: What FDR Meant to Me - A Graveside Ceremony for a Four Term President
Description: As a review of the presidency of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, students will prepare remarks from differing perspectives for a special graveside eulogy. In addition to the remarks, students will bring symbolic mementos to leave at FDR's graveside. (See attachment) Following the ceremony, students will reflect on each person's perspective of FDR and record these reflections using a web tool called Voicethread.
Subject: Education and Training (7 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Science (8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6)
Title: It IS Easy Being "Green": Part II of III Creating Your Own Cleaning Supplies
Description: In this second part of a three-part lesson, students will collaborate in ability groups to complete a Jigsaw activity on all-purpose cleaners. Next, students will research, create, and evaluate homemade cleaning supplies and determine the effectiveness compared to conventional (store-bought) cleaners. Students will present their findings for both the jigsaw and their product in a flipchart on the Interactive WhiteBoard.
Subject: Human Services (9 - 12)
Title: Sanitation, Shampooing, and Draping
Description: The students will follow the procedure for succesfully completing a shampoo. They will perform a shampoo on a mannequin or student during lab.
Subject: Human Services (9 - 12)
Title: Temporary Hair Color
Description: In this lesson, students will learn the procedure for applying temporary hair color accurately. They will become familiar with the reasons why people color their hair. Acquiring these skills will promote professional consultations when dealing with hair color clients.
Subject: English Language Arts (11), Social Studies (9 - 12)
Title: The Bombing of Hiroshima - Fact or Opinion
Description: Students will read "A Noiseless Flash" from Hiroshima, written by John Hersey with a partner and record facts (objective reporting) and opinions (subjective reporting) as given in the reading selection.
Subject: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (9 - 12)
Title: Safety in the Automotive Service Technology Lab
Description: This lesson will provide students with the required practices and procedures for working safely in the automotive service technology laboratory. Students will learn about required Personal Protective Equipment [PPE], safe tool and equipment operation, as well as hazardous material handling storage and disposal regulations.
Subject: Arts Education (1)
Title: Vibrations of Sound
Description: Students will learn what sound waves look like as they produce high and low sounds, loud and soft sounds, and noise using a website on sound waves. They will explore how vibrations produce sound through hands-on exploration using rulers, cups, and rubber bands. They will then see visual representation of sound waves using Audacity recording software.
Subject: Science (8)
Title: Wave Anatomy
Description: Students will classify waves as mechanical or electromagnetic. Students will draw an example of a transverse wave and label the parts. Students will draw an example of a compressional wave. A spring toy will be used to illustrate a compressional wave. A jump rope will be used to illustrate a transverse wave.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: To Kill a Mockingbird Character Interviews - Podcast
Description: Students will write and produce character interviews based on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The interviews will be produced as a podcast based on characters from the novel and students' interpretation of the events in the novel, as well as its historical setting. The project will be a conclusion to the class study of the novel.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Novel Study - Independent Reading
Description: Students will choose a novel from a teacher-created reading list. After reading their choice novel, students will prepare a 1-1/2 to 2 minute multimedia presentation to "sell" other students on the novel. In addition, students will prepare a poster advertising their novel for display and a written summary of the novel that identifies various literary elements of the novel.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: Changing Your Tactics
Description: In this exercise the student actor will learn how to change their tactics to try to achieve their obstacle. Utilizing an improvisational approach, students will attempt to either frighten or encourage their scene partner.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Social Studies (2)
Title: Exploring Customs and Cultures- Part 1
Description: Students meet both language arts and social studies objectives in this interdisciplinary unit on customs and cultures. In part 1 of the unit students practice research and writing skills to create a slideshow. In part 2 of the unit students explore culture through games and work with a partner to write a page in a class how-to book.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: The Idea Challenge
Description: We are full of ideas, yet many young artist want to take their first idea and run. It is important for students learning visual art to recognize the conceptualization process and the expanse of their personal idea bank. The Idea Challenge is a project that allows students to explore a variety of media while stretching their conceptualization skills to an almost uncomfortable demand. The goal is to show students just when they think they have no more ideas they may find the best idea yet.
Subject: Education and Training (7 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: It IS Easy Being "Green"- Part III of III
Description: In this third and final installment of the "Green" series, the students will work in their ability groups to create a commercial to advertise their green cleaning product. Students will create a logo and a name brand and market their product for resale. Any multimedia presentation software can be used, but for this lesson, students will be using Windows Movie Maker.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Social Studies (2)
Title: Exploring Customs and Cultures- Part 2
Description: Students meet both language arts and social studies objectives in this interdisciplinary unit on customs and cultures. In part 1 of the unit students practice research and writing skills to create a slideshow. In part 2 of the unit students explore culture through games and work with a partner to write a page in a class how-to book.
Subject: Arts Education (4 - 5)
Title: Instrument Families of the Orchestra: Percussion
Description: This lesson is the fourth lesson in a series of four lessons on the instrument families of the orchestra. Students will learn the characteristics and sounds of the instruments in the percussion family of the orchestra. They will identify the instruments by sight and sound, and group instruments according to pitched or unpitched percussion.
Subject: Education and Training (7 - 8)
Title: What Not To Wear: Becoming a Personal Stylist
Description: Have you envisioned working with glamorous Hollywood celebrities and fashion models? If so, then you may consider pursuing a career as a personal stylist. Working as a personal stylist will give you the opportunity to assist and style well-known fashion personalities. In this module, you will learn the job qualifications, training and requirements for a career as a personal stylist. After completing a reading and interactive activity, you will demonstrate your newly developed skill!
Subject: Arts Education (K - 12)
Title: Printing Your Own Money
Description: Art teachers know how fun block printmaking is for students. Once you have your original block cut and ready to go, replicating your art work multiple times is fun and easy. Turn this beautiful art making technique into a classroom fundraiser this holiday season!
Subject: Science (7), Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: Cells! Cells! Cells!
Description: Students will learn about both POP Art and science in this pattern project. Working in conjunction with a science teacher in your school, students will view cells through a microscope and use visual diaries to create pattern templates. Templates are then used in simple and bold coloration to implement a POP inspired work of art.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Science (1)
Title: The Very Busy Students: Writing with Eric Carle
Description: In this interdisciplinary unit addressing science and language arts standards, English Language Learners will learn the life cycle of insects. They will also use the writing of a renowned children's author, Eric Carle, as a model for their own writing. During the final project of the lesson, students will follow the writing process. The lesson format follows the Sheltered English Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP).
Subject: Education and Training (7 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Becoming a Creative Director: A Day in The Life of Jenna Lyons
Description: How would you like a $1 million bonus because a celebrity (or the President's wife!) began wearing the clothing that you have marketed? Although a limited number of positions are available, there are great opportunities available if you have what it takes! In this module, you will learn the qualifications, training, education, salary, and job requirements necessary for a position as a creative director. In the end, you will create a blog or website focusing on the top picks for young children this year.
Subject: English Language Arts (2)
Title: The Second Grade Times: Students Write A Newspaper
Description: In this project-based language development lesson, English Language Learners learn about the newspaper publication and create their own newspaper that covers stories about their school year. The lesson format follows the Sheltered English Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP).
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: Acting Your Song
Description: This lesson will introduce students to the process of rehearsing their song as an acting piece. They will learn how to score both their music and lyrics in terms of performance utilizing the acting concept of objectives, obstacles, and tactics.
Subject: Social Studies (7 - 12)
Title: The United States Supreme Court: Published Opinions
Description: Students will read and analyze published opinions of the United States Supreme Court to determine the type of opinions issued by the court. Students will select a justice and attempt to determine that justice's ideology as they read the opinions. Students will utilize the Cornell University Law Library via the Internet to conduct their research.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Rubber Egg Diffusion
Description: This lab will illustrate diffusion and osmosis through a semi-permeable membrane. A chicken egg will be used as the model cell, because the yolk is actually a single large cell. The surrounding egg white, or albumin, contains water and several different proteins.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12), Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication (9 - 12)
Title: STOP Motion Animation is a GO
Description: STOP Motion Animation is a GO is a hands-on technology-based project that can be interdisciplinary connecting to science, math, history, literature, or another arts area depending on the theme selected by the instructor. Students create a moving visual story that can be a work of art, a teaching tool, or an entertaining analysis of material learned.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: My First Apartment
Description: This lesson plan is a 2-day, technology-based, real-world application that will help students understand the expenses of their living conditions when moving into a new apartment with a roommate. This lesson plan can be used in Pre-Algebra, Algebraic Connections, and Business courses.
Students will create an expense portfolio with given occupation and expenses.
Subject: Science (4), Physical Education (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Race for Life: Plant Adaptations
Description: This is an outdoors, hands-on activity. Create a short race course to engage students in physical activity while drawing comparisons to the plant kingdom. This activity serves as an introductory to the impact small changes can have on the ability of a plant to compete for sunlight, soil, and water. Each race serves as an analogy to a specific type of adaptation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Barf Biology (An Extended Owl Pellet Dissection)
Description: As part of the study of the biosphere, the students will create pyramids using owl pellets. In groups, students will dissect owl pellets to aquire information about owl consumption. Groups will then create an ecological pyramid, a number pyramid, and a biomass pyramid. These creations will be composed into a vodcast to be shared on school tube.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: What is in a Biome?
Description: As part of the study of the biosphere, the students will create a lesson and provide a three dimensional model of teacher assigned biome. In groups students will use lap tops to acquire information about assigned biome. Groups will then create lesson presentation and a three dimensional model explaining identifying characteristics of assigned biome.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Parallel Photography
Description: Students will use laptops and digital cameras to understand parallel lines, corresponding angles, alternate interior angles, alternate exterior angles, and same-side (consecutive) interior angles. Poster-size concept maps will be created by students and posted on the classroom "word wall."
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Flower Anatomy
Description: Flower Anatomy helps a student to visualize the floral parts. Students can disect the flower after they have viewed and identified all parts. A student can take the dissected parts and create a word wall using colored paper or posterboard.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 11), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Life After High School
Description: Life After High School is a career research assignment that gives students an opportunity to plan their career path after high school. Even if students deviate from their plan, they need to have a tentative idea that allows them to set goals. Students will learn about their potential career, educational requirements, and learn whether they are currently preparing themselves for their chosen career path.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: The Game of Life WebQuest
Description: The Game of Life is a web quest project that is design to get students to think about their career choices. The students will select a career choice, and research information needed to attain a degree in that career. The students will also look at their lives after receiving their degrees to determine how they will budget and manage their day to day living. They will start the project off by learning how to write a check, how to fill out a check register, and fill our a deposit slip. The students will visit Money Instructor,Com at http://www.moneyinstructor.com/checks.asp and How to write a check at http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-write-a-check.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Characteristics of Quadrilaterals
Description: Students will begin unit on quadrilaterals with basic overview of characteristics of parallelograms, rectangles, squares, rhombi, and isosceles and non-isosceles trapezoids. After the word wall is made, the teacher can use interactive websites to reinforce concepts.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (7)
Title: Using Scale Factors: Drawing Your Body to Scale
Description: Teachers will use this lesson to review and apply skills involving scale factors. Teachers will use illuminations website to review scale factor. Then students will be given instructions to draw their bodies to scale.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: How Many Mice Can An Owl Eat?
Description: As part of the study of the biosphere, the students will use student response systems to determine the average number of mice an owl eats in a day, a week, a month, and a year. This lesson can be used as an introduction or as a review.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (6)
Title: Getting to Know Your Classmates Using Bar Graphs
Description: Students will collect data from class using surveys. Students survey classmates concerning favorite movies, favorite color, shoe size, time spent studying, brand of cell phone and etc. From the data they will create bar graphs using an Illuminations website. Students will post printed bar graphs on the word wall as examples of bar graphs. They will discuss bar graph results to class.
Students will find data for their own school and draw a bar graph. Students can use any data that is provided for their own school. For example, data can be organized to graph students per grade in their own school.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Devil and Tom Walker Newsletter
Description: Students will create a newsletter with information taken from the short story "The Devil and Tom Walker." Students will work in pairs and decide which parts of the newsletter each will be responsible for completing. The finished newsletter will be published for the class to view.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Virtual Knee Replacement Surgery
Description: In this lesson, students will take on the role of the Surgeon throughout a total knee replacement surgery. Great lesson for an Anatomy and Physiology class with a focus on the Skeletal System.
Subject: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (9 - 12), Career Cluster Electives (7 - 8)
Title: How to pay for College: Grant/Scholarship Opportunities
Description: The students will search the Internet for Scholarships and/or grants to help pay for college. This lesson has a financial aid component
Subject: Social Studies (7)
Title: Fact vs. Opinion
Description: This lesson is a hands-on way for students to learn how to discern between fact and opinion. This is an important skill for citizenship in that citizens should be informed about what is happening in their communities and should take credible information with them into the voting booth. This lesson overlaps with the seventh grade English curriculum, offering students a chance to write a persuasive paragraph.
Subject: English Language Arts (5)
Title: Literature Genres: How does your book fit in?
Description: In this lesson, students will be taught the different types of genres. Students will be grouped together and assigned a genre. They must create a poster for that genre describing its characteristics and listing examples. Then, the students will conduct a scavenger hunt around the library looking for an example of each genre. Independently, the students will sort quotes by genres.
Subject: Social Studies (7)
Title: Get the Party Started!
Description: "Get the Party Started!" is designed to help students understand how political parties are formed and why people are members of certain parties. Students will have the opportunity to experience what it is like to form a group with like values and ideas. This lesson plan is technology enriched with a podcast and student micro-blogging.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: Geometric Quilts
Description: Students will use a square to investigate other polygonal shapes that can be formed. Students will work with these polygons to make designs that will later constitute cooperatively designed quilts. The quilts will be made by translating, rotating, or reflecting a thirty-six patch design. The completed quilts will then be used for a discussion of area and perimeter. Students will blog about what they have learned while doing the lesson and will include pictures of their finished product in our class blog.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12)
Title: Minority Achievement Initiative
Description: This lesson format is designed to increase the amount of minority students taking upper level or advanced classes. This lesson will be an informative meeting to provide students with different levels of academic support and give them the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. It is designed to address any apprehension, tension, or concerns that a student might have with challenging themselves with a more advanced curriculum.
Subject: English Language Arts (K)
Title: Fun with Seasons!
Description: In this lesson students will learn about proper sequencing of events while also learning about our four seasons. We will be reading the book, The Apple Pie Tree and will be discussing each season prior to our reading. The students will give examples of each season and the types of clothing they wear or activities they do during each season. After reading the book students will complete a project where they will "dress" their stick figures on construction paper with the proper clothing in each season and will sequence these in the correct order.
Subject: Social Studies (2), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Everyone Needs to be Counted!
Description: Through a mixture of lecture and hands-on interaction, students will gain knowledge of the history of the Census Bureau, the Census in the United States and the significance of the Census in modern society. The students will view a sample of the Census questions on the interactive board and answer the questions using the Student Response Systems (student clicker). The students will then create their Census questions based on their understanding of the Census.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Finance (9 - 12)
Title: Saving for the Future!
Description: This lesson explores the various options available when saving for the future. Students will use the Federal Reserve education link, http://www.federalreserveeducation.org/pfed/indextext.cfm#Interest%20Rates, to explore background information about interest rates. Using interest rates found on www.bankrate.com and www.treasurydirect.gov students will build a spreadsheet to compare earnings for various savings instruments. This plan contains a financial literacy component.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Protecting Your Identity
Description: Students will create a database of Identity (ID) Theft Protection Services. Students will create a database report with recommendation regarding individual companies' that provide identity theft protection services and which company has the best product for the price. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9 - 12)
Title: Pennies for your Future!
Description: This is a hands-on activity that is designed to guide students through the process of finding and applying for scholarships. Students will use word processing software to write and submit a scholarship that is applicable to them.
This lesson plan contains a financial aid component.
Authors: Mona Coan and Stefanie Weaver
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12)
Title: All About Animals
Description: Biology students in this technology-based project will explain the significance of major characteristics used for classification in the kingdom Animalia. After collecting information about an assigned trait, students will take pictures of native animals that illustrate this feature. Students will then create a video Podcast explaining how their characteristic is beneficial to the animal and illustrated by the animals they found.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (7)
Title: 2020 - Year of the Cool School!
Description: Hey! Are you tired of your old lame school? Are the halls too narrow? Do you like walking outside to get to the cafeteria? Are the classrooms too small? Is the design too simple - just too wacky for a middle school? Well, now is the biggest break of your lives - You and your peers will design the school of the future and make history! Your biggest challenge is to create a section of a dream school that oozes and awes your peers. Each team will design a section (cafeteria, library, performing arts room, or recreational room) of the school, research different floor coverings for the section, research different loans to cover the cost of the floor coverings, and design a model of each section. Grab your math knowledge and as many construction tools as you can because you are about to construct a building for the world to remember. But wait, THE CATCH - your team will be competing against other groups. So put your thinking caps on and let the building begin!
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Card Table Project
Description: Students will work in groups to design a card table. Students will communicate with each other through a class blog or class discussion page. Students will then work in groups to design a card table. After the design phase, students will try to sell their product to the outside expert.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12), Arts Education (6 - 8)
Title: A Brief History of Jazz!
Description: This lesson will give a brief timeline and background on the musical genre of jazz music. The students will learn where jazz music found it's roots, and also learn some of the more influential performers of this genre of music.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: FAFSA can be taxing!
Description: Complete tax forms and use these to complete a FAFSA worksheet. This project contains a financial aid component.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Information Technology (9 - 12)
Title: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for Dummies Brochure
Description: This lesson gives students the opportunity to take a hands-on approach to learning about FAFSA. Students will research and compile information and graphics to create a professional, tri-fold brochure containing information about FAFSA using a variety of software programs.
This lesson plan contains a financial aid component.
Authors: Mona Coan and Stefanie Weaver
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12)
Title: Which College do I Choose?
Description: Students use estimated EFC's (Expected Family Contribution) to compare out-of-pocket costs for 3 colleges. This lesson includes a financial aid component.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K)
Title: Interactive Calendar
Description: Students will explore a calendar through an interactive PowerPoint. They will apply this knowledge independently on an actual calendar.
Subject: Science (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Moon Phase Craze
Description: This lesson is designed to use online technology resources to practice and reinforce knowledge learned in class on Moon Phases. Students will view online animations with student interaction, while keeping a log of their phase activities. They will also take an online assessment upon completion of the activity. Following this activity, students will use Oreo cookies to make the phases of the moon in order from new moon through one complete phase and identify each. They will also take pictures of each of their cookie phases and insert into a multimedia slideshow project. On the last page of the slideshow, they can insert a video made with video editing software such as "Movie Maker" and the pictures will loop together that show the moon's phases all in one motion.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12), Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: Working The Battery!
Description: This lesson focuses on the percussion feature in the final number of this years band show. The lesson will occur during a marching/music sectional focusing on technique (marching and playing), rhythmic interpretation, timing, and musicianship. The lesson will focus on the percussion feature which is measures seventy-one through seventy-five of the final number West Side Story. Please see the attached music for reference to what we will be rehearsing.
Subject: Science (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: The Human Body Inc.: What's an Arm and a Leg Worth?
Description: In this technology-based project, students will take on the role of a legal defense team and prepare the court defense for a body organ that is currently an employee of Human Body Inc.. Due to recent cost increases, the Human Body has had to fire workers. Assuming the role as lawyer, students' responsibilities are to conduct research, collect and analyze material, and produce an informative and explanatory multimedia presentation (PowerPoint, PhotoStory, Keynote, etc.) defending their body organ's position in the company and what would happen if their client were fired. In addition, they are to create a brochure, highlighting the trendy spots, the exciting activities, etc., of the body system in which the organ works, convincing the corporation of the importance in keeping their client. The students will present their case at an administrative hearing to the Human Body Committee (whole class), the corporate group who will decide the ultimate fate of the body organ.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: I Could Be The Next Beethoven
Description: This is an interdisciplinary lesson designed for Middle level bands and language art students. The band and language art class will create a project to be presented to the student body. The project will consist of the students writing the words to an alma mater for their school, and the band students will create and vary the melody. The band students will use a music software program to write the music to be played by the band students.
Subject: Science (3)
Title: Bone Up!
Description: In this lesson students will learn the basics about the skeletal system. They will be able to identify the major bones of the human body and explain the functions of the skeletal system. The students will have the opportunity to navigate the Internet to gather information to be presented to other students through a variety of presentations styles. This lesson will begin a six-week study on the human body.
Subject: English Language Arts (4)
Title: Soaring with Literary Elements and Devices
Description: In this lesson, students will observe literary elements and devices in a variety of chapter books. Students will be paired with a partner and allowed to choose one book to identify literary elements. Using digital cameras and a computer, students will find pictures of objects that are related to their book. Lastly, students will use their photos to create a reading display board and a podcast that will include each literary element, pictures, objects, and the actual book. Students will be required to present their display board and podcast to the class.
Attached podcast also discusses how to conduct a Reading Fair.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Plants, Pigments and Colors
Description: In this hands-on, inquiry based lesson students will see the role of pigments in the in the process of photosynthesis. Students will use the process of chromatography to separate plant pigments. Students will then see the function of these pigments in helping plants maintain life.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), Science (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: How to Make Something Simple...Hard
Description: Students will have completed a unit of forces and motion prior to the current unit of study on simple machines (lever, inclined plane, screw, wedge, pulley, wheel and axle). Students will review the functions and examples of simple machines and view example Rube Goldberg machines. Students will create a compound machine out of all six simple machines to complete a simple task of their choosing. The machine should meet the limitations given in the rubric and be able to be demonstrated at school. Students will complete a PowerPoint slide show about the history of Rube Goldberg machines and write an expository essay about their finished machine.
Subject: Science (5)
Title: "A BODY IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE"
Description: Students will explain that the human body has different organ systems with different roles. Also, they will discover and illustrate the organelles that each system contains. In addition, students will describe the function of each system. They will explain why these functions are vital to human life. At the conclusion of the lessons, the students will work collaboratively in their groups to create a podcast depicting an assigned human body system.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Painting in the Style of a Famous Artist
Description: This lesson will introduce students to several prominent painters in art history. Students will research selected artists in groups and create PowerPoint presentations. After the groups present the information on the artists to the class, each student will then individually select one artist's style and technique to emulate in their own painting.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Science (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Weather Watchers : 21st Century Style
Description: Students will work in pairs to create a short video of the next day's local weather forecast. Each team's forecast will air the following day, followed by actual weather readings of instruments such as the barometer and digital hygrometer (provided by AMSTI / GLOBE). The forecast and instrument readings will be recorded and compared over a period of weeks on a weather data table.
Subject: Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Machines all Around Us
Description: Student will examine different rooms in the school looking for simple machines. They will use digital cameras to take pictures of the simple machine they have found in the school and Microsoft PowerPoint to create a presentation of their findings. This lesson was created by Miller, Gladden, and Watson- Oscar Adams Elementary School Tech Team.
Subject: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (9 - 12), Career Cluster Electives (7 - 8)
Title: The cost of a college education
Description: The students will examine the cost of a college education.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Growing Up During World War II
Description: This is a whole group inquiry lesson that is largely, but not entirely, technology-based. Through the use of a PhotoStory-created movie, students will learn about several basic concepts related to life in Alabama during World War II. More specifically, aspects of life that affected children growing up during this time will be discussed.
Subject: Career Cluster Electives (7 - 8), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Career Planning
Description: The students will explore careers that interest them.
Subject: Mathematics (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (1)
Title: You Can Add!
Description: Students will learn ways to add using the associative property of addition. Students will view a PowerPoint presentation to introduce associative property of addition.
Subject: Science (5)
Title: How does the USS Alabama Float?
Description: This is a science lesson on buoyancy and the USS Alabama. The students will discover how a battleship floats. They will complete hands on activities to better understand Archimedes' Principle of Buoyancy.
Subject: Information Technology (9 - 12)
Title: Java: Career Opportunities
Description: The student will:1. Determine career and entrepreneurial opportunities, responsibilities, and educational and credentialing requirements in the Java programming field.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Adjectives Around Us
Description: Students will make a photo story book using Flickr pictures.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (7)
Title: Inequalities: Solving and Graphing
Description: The students will extend their knowledge from solving equalities to solving inequalities. They will also learn to graph the solutions of inequalities.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technical Education (9 - 12), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Land Surveying Project-Enhancing mathematics in the career/technical classroom and providing relevance in the mathematics classroom.
Description: This project resulted from of the collaboration of a computer aided drafting teacher, Chris Bond, and a math teacher, Lee Cable, (Hewitt-Trussville High School) to provide higher math expectations in CT and real life application in mathematics.
In this hands-on and technology based project, CT students will learn the basics of civil engineering in land surveying while applying algebraic and geometric concepts. The current technology used by survey crews, for example AutoCAD, will be utilized and applied by students. With assistance from a local civil engineering firm, students will record length and angle measurements of an assigned area and calculate unknown measures using math concepts that include solving general and right triangles, setting up and solving proportions, determining scale, and using the Law of Cosines. A topographical map will then be plotted using AutoCAD and a presentation made to the engineering firm for grading and feedback. The embedded math will be co-taught with a math teacher using the real world data to make the topics relevant. In the math classroom, the math teacher will use land surveying problems designed in this project to show students how math concepts are used in real-world applications.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Agriscience Education (9), Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Wildlife Math-Enhancing mathematics in the career/technical classroom and providing relevance in the mathematics classroom
Description: This integrated lesson is the result of collaboration between Chip Blanton, a wildlife management teacher, and Greg Pendergrass, a math teacher (Ft. Payne High School).
Learning to manage wildlife requires an understanding of planting food plots, creating areas for cover, and providing water. Students learn to use the math skills required to calculate the number acres and the cost of fertilizer and seed needed in food plots and sanctuaries. Given a certain amount of land students decide what part of that land they are to plant and maintain for deer, quail, turkey, rabbit and forestation.
Subject: Agriscience Education (9 - 12), Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Determining Percent of Seed Germination-Enhancing mathematics in the career/technical classroom and providing relevance in the mathematics classroom
Description: In this project, students will conduct an experiment to determine the percentage of seed that will germinate in a given time frame. Students will produce charts and graphs to represent the results algebraically. Mathematics and career/technical students can participate in this lab experiment together, or the activity can be conducted separately in either classroom. The mathematics teacher will want to adapt the student handouts to provide additional emphasis on mathematics and to remove emphasis on the career/technical.
This integrated lesson is the result of collaboration between Chip Blanton, an agriculture teacher, and Greg Pendergrass, a math teacher (Fort Payne HS). For information about using the eight step model for developing integrated projects developed by the Southern Regional Education Board, contact Leslie Carson at leslie.carson@sreb.org. For information about the project implementation, contact Chip Blanton (cblanton@ftpayk12.org) or Greg Pendergrass (gpendergrass@ftpayk12.org).
Subject: Technical Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Architecture and Construction (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: The Clock Tower-Enhancing mathematics in the career/technical classroom and providing relevance in the mathematics classroom.
Description: This project resulted from the collaboration of a computer aided drafting teacher (pre-engineering), Chris Bond, and a math teacher, Lee Cable, (Hewitt-Trussville High School) to provide higher math expectations in CT and real life application in mathematics.
As a hands-on, technology based project this activity demonstrates use of the Pythagorean Theorem, Sine, Cosine and Tangent to find unknown heights of objects and can be adapted for use by the computer aided drafting or mathematics teacher. Clinometers are used as a surveying tool and AutoCAD is used as a drawing tool. Students use a clinometer and a ruler or a tape measure to find and then record the length and angle measurements of a right triangle to determine unknowns. This information is then used to find unknown lengths and angles and to then create a drawing in AutoCAD. Proportion and scale will be used to draw a scale drawing of the clock tower at the new Hewitt-Trussville High School. In the mathematics classroom, students will produce scale drawings using graph paper instead of AutoCAD. This lesson will need to be adapted for use by other schools by selecting a different building structure for measure.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Clerihew Poetry
Description: Cooperative poetry writing assignment. Students will write and share poetry using the Clerihew style. Students will also give a group presentation of their poems.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: A Comparison of Puritan Authors and Their Viewpoints on God and the Devil.
Description: Students in teacher-selected groups of two will create a presentation on Puritan authors using Google Docs. Student groups will compare authors Anne Bradstreet and Jonathon Edwards. Students will support their comparisons through examples from each of the author's works. Student groups will then research Puritan writers Cotton Mather and Michael Wigglesworth online. All groups will present to the class as well as posting the presentations online.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), Mathematics (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: University and College Tuition Webquest
Description: This is a technology-based and interdisciplinary project incorporating mathematics, language, and technology standards. Each student will research on the university's website: location, the mission statement, historical and interesting facts, and the tuition costs (for which they will have to compute the median, range, and mean). Each student will use other Internet sources to find the distance from home. An expository essay explaining the importance of researching about universities and a PowerPoint presentation will also be requirements of the project.
Subject: Social Studies (5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Using Primary Sources to Uncover the True Thanksgiving Story
Description: This is an interdisciplinary inquiry-based lesson that focuses on critical thinking. Students are introduced to the true story of the first Thanksgiving with the reading of a NCSS Notable Trade Book Thanksgiving: The True Story. Working in cooperative learning groups, students use primary sources to evaluate the accuracy of the Thanksgiving story currently told in many history textbooks. This lesson teaches students the importance of using primary sources to construct accurate understandings of historical events. Extensions in this lesson also integrate science and technology.
Subject: Science (8 - 12)
Title: The Legend of the Mummy’s Curse- Fact or Fiction?
Description: This is a technology-based, hands-on Biology lesson used to introduce the scientific method to students. Students will make a prediction on whether they think the curse is true or false. Students will listen to a podcast describing a scientific investigation of the curse. Students will then research the Mummy’s curse using the internet and answer questions about the investigation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Cats, Dogs,and Dragons. Oh My!
Description: This is a technology-based, hands-on Biology lesson on Heredity and Traits. Students learn about the basics of Heredity through a virtual tour and then work to create their own dragon based on the inheritance of traits.(Adapted from ASIM).
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Terrestrial Biomes of the World
Description: This is a technology-based Biology lesson on the Biomes of the world. Students will work in groups and research an assigned biome. Students will use Photo Story 3 to create a digital presentation of their biome.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Graphing is Great!
Description: Students will explore graphing individually and in groups. They will also use an interactive activity to discuss slope and intercepts. To assess the lesson, students will use the floor tiles in the classroom as a large sheet of graph paper to graph with slopes and intercepts.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12)
Title: What are You - Prime or Composite?
Description: This lesson is on factors and greatest common factors. The students will view presentations on prime numbers, composite numbers, and prime factorization (some using factor trees).
The students will participate in interactive games on various websites, and discover by using their initials in their name, if they are prime or composite.
Subject: English Language Arts (11), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Harlem Renaissance Authors and the Impact on the 21st Century
Description: As part of a study of the Harlem Renaissance, students will do research on a Harlem Renaissance author. Individually, students will use websites to gain information about the author and the author's impact in literature and society. Students will relate writings from the author to issues found in the 21st century. Students will then create a photostory of the author to be shared with the class.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: You Don't Taste the Way You Look!: Understanding Mimicry
Description: This Evolution lesson uses edible materials to demonstrate how a mimic acquires survival advantage. This particular lesson provides students an easy approach to learn and retain this information.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: What Happened To Your Eye?: An Eye Stimulation eLab
Description: This is a virtual lab that investigates the effects of damage to eye muscles and nerves on the motion of the eyes. This lab is extremely realistic. This activity can be done as a whole class or as a demonstration.
Subject: Social Studies (12), Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: How Are We Living?
Description: In this lesson, students collaborate to research economic systems of the United States and two other countries. Students will collect, evaluate, and synthesize information to create a multimedia presentation that compares economic systems of assigned countries, how these systems affect various factors that influence quality of life for its citizens.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: The World of Integers
Description: The objective of this lesson is for students to review the basic operations of rational numbers – Integers. This lesson is design as a technology-based project; webquest, that focus on adding and subtracting integers with the extension of multiplying and dividing integers. This lesson requires students to focus on how integers are used in real world situations.
Subject: Social Studies (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Happy Constitution Day
Description: Students work in groups to create presentations answering who, what, when, where, why, and how questions concerning the U.S. Constitution. Presentations will be used to create digital Constitution Day Program.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Adding Up Stats
Description: In groups, students will conduct surveys and collect the data from their surveys. Then they will analyze the data and create various methods of displaying the collected data.
Subject: English Language Arts (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Digital Senior Memory Book
Description: Students will design a digital story that will consist of their memories and thoughts from their whole life. After the students finish the digital book, the book will be combined into a digital presentation to be shared at a senior luncheon.
Subject: English Language Arts (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Translating in Your Own Words: Pride and Prejudice
Description: Students will work in groups to select a "scene" from Pride and Prejudice and translate the scene into contemporary English.
Subject: Social Studies (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Court Reporters
Description: Students will research assigned Supreme Court cases and write a case summary. Students will create podcasts of their summaries. Summaries will be added to class website for future students to access.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Traveling Around The Unit Circle
Description: This lesson is intended to review the key ideas associated with trigonometric functions.The design of this lesson provides a collection of reproducible activities to be used in a classroom setting where students have varied backgrounds / experience with trigonometric functions.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Genetic Disorders Group Activity
Description: In this group activity, students will use the Internet to research genetic disorders. They will choose one and design a pamphlet which outlines background information about the disorder, symptoms of the disorder, state whether or not the disorder is hereditary, discuss possible treatments (if any), and the patient’s prognosis. Each group will present their disease/disorder to the class.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 10)
Title: This is my life!
Description: This assignment requires you to write about your own life, your family, and the things that are influencing you so far in your personal journey. The result will be a short autobiography of your own…and hopefully a little more self-knowledge to take with you as you consider your journey in the years to come.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: The Art of Solving One and Two-Step Equations - A WebQuest
Description: This lesson is on solving one and two-step equations. Students will watch interactive video clips that provide a step by step process to solving equations. Students will also visit interactive websites that provide games for solving equations.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6)
Title: Which way do I go, George, which way do I go?
Description: This lesson will explore the process of graphing inequalities on a number line. It will also explore writing an inequality when given a graph.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Social Studies (2 - 3)
Title: Sailing the World on the USS Alabama
Description: This inquiry based lesson gives students the opportunity to acquire and practice map skills while applying the knowledge to real life experience based on the USS Alabama Battleship.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Wild Water Adventure
Description:
Students will learn how a system of equations can be used to find the best use of information to make decisions in real-world situations.Students will work in groups of 3s or 4s to develop a system for the best buy on tickets at a water park. The lesson is also designed to help students develop a budget or a plan when their spending money is limited. Students will find that sometimes group prices or working as a team will help them save money.
Subject: Science (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Dinosaur Fossils
Description: Students will enhance their understanding of fossils. Students explore fossils by creating their own fossil imprints using Play-Doh and Plaster of Paris.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (4)
Title: All squared up!
Description: In this AMSTI 5 E lesson plan students will be engaged in an investigation to discover the patterns in squared numbers then be able to apply the concepts needed to evaluate the expression.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Counseling and Guidance (K - 12), Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (6 - 12), Health Education (7)
Title: Cell Phones: Immoral, Illegal, or Just Plain Rude?
Description: Cell phones, love them or hate them, most everyone (especially students) think they can't live without one. Lines for usage are blurred for students who have no memory of never having a portable phone to use. This lesson is designed for upper middle and high students to examine ethical, moral and health issues involving cell phone use.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Now, where did THAT come from? Deriving the Quadratic Formula
Description:
Generally, teachers expect students to memorize the quadratic formula and to know that you use it after exhausting all other means of solving a quadratic equation, i.e. as a last resort. This technology-based lesson is designed to assist students with deriving the formula on their own. Students must first be familiar with complex numbers and the process of “completing the square.”
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (4)
Title: Learning from LIMBO
Description: Using a limbo set, students will participate in learning about perimeter and area of a rectangle. Students will explore how the area and perimeter changes as the limbo pole is lowered.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: As if numbers weren't complex enough already!
Description: After years of being told that they couldn't take the square root of a negative number, you introduced your students to imaginary numbers. And, now, you have the nerve to expect them to go eagerly into the world of complex numbers? This lesson will introduce students to performing operations with complex numbers.
Note: This lesson is deisgned to be completed as a computer lab activity utilizing both small and whole group instruction.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Talking in Circles
Description: The students will identify parts of the circle including center, radius, diameter, chord, and arc.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Maybe… Maybe Not
Description:
In Maybe…Maybe Not students will explore and investigate components of probability. This lesson will enable students to develop understanding of a likelihood line and apply events to the line.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5)
Title: It’s in the Bag!
Description: It’s in the Bag will allow students to explore basic principles of probability. Students will investigation the likelihood of a certain color cube coming out of a bag. Then proceed to write word problems involving the plausible outcomes.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Surface Area of Pyramids and Cones
Description: In this inquiry-based lesson, students will discover the formulas for the surface area of pyramids and cones.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3)
Title: Properties of Multiplication
Description: This lesson will introduce students to three of the four properties of multiplication. It will provide practice for students to identify and distinguish between the properties, and solve multiplication problems using each property.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (6)
Title: How Low Can You Go?
Description: In this lesson, students will identify and locate numberspostive and negative numbers, including decimals and fractions on a number line.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6)
Title: M & M's Probability (extension of M and M's Math)
Description: The activity incorporates the M and M's Internet Website into a probability activities involving the most prevalent colors. This lesson allows students to create virtual bar graphs with M and M's.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7)
Title: What's the Difference? Subtracting Integers
Description: In Cooperative/Collaborative groups, this lesson will actively engage students to subtract positive and negative integers. An "Essential Question" will be used to activate background knowledge and set the purpose for understanding integers. Students will play board games, use the Internet to play interactive games, and watch videos about subtracting integers.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Great Plant Escape
Description: This is a Webquest that is designed to introduce students to plant science. Activities enhance student's math, science, language arts, social studies, music and art. There are many options in this program. Choose any or all of the suggested activities for your class. Many activities are for students to work independently and some are for group work.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Misleading Graphs Are Da'PITS!
Description: In this interactive lesson, students will discover how creating an incorrect graph will display misleading information. Through viewing and discussing a variety of graphs, the students will identify 5 components that graphs must contain to be accurate. The students will explore a variety of graphs and examine them to determine if the graphs are misleading.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Social Studies (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Commercial Elections- How televisions ads influence citizens
Description: This is a hands-on, technology-based U.S. Government lesson in which students will view a series of political television advertisements from the 1950s-2000. Students vote on which presidential candidate has the best commercial after each set. Advertising strategies are identified and discussed as a class. Students categorize commercials by strategies used. The most and least effective strategies are identified.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Science (2)
Title: The Magic of Water
Description: Students will use the Internet to learn about the water cycle by accessing various web sites. Students will create a document including pictures relating their knowledge about water and the water cycle.
Subject: Mathematics (7 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8)
Title: The Laws of Exponents
Description: During this activity, students will review the laws of exponents. They will demonstrate their knowledge by creating an interactive computer game or a podcast.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (4)
Title: Shapes and Lines of Symmetry
Description: Students will observe lines of symmetry found in nature, traffic signs, letters of the alphabet, and certain shapes. Students will also cut out shapes and draw lines of symmetry. Great websites are provided for those that need enrichment or remediation.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Transformations on the Graphing Calculator
Description: Investigate transformations through use of a graphing calculator and then using graph paper.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 1)
Title: Patterns, Patterns, Everywhere
Description: An interactive lesson on teaching about patterns and finding patterns in the environment.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (2), Social Studies (2), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (1 - 4)
Title: How Many Times Did You Add That?
Description: After watching the video clip of the Hershey's plant, students will use grid paper to investigate multiplication as repeated addition.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: Weight vs. Capacity
Description: This lesson will introduce students to measuring weight, mass, volume, and capacity using metric and cutomary units.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (5 - 6)
Title: Let's Go Fishing for Positive and Negative Integers using the Coordinate Plane!
Description: This lesson will actively engage students in a fishing tournament that uses ordered pairs to catch fish. As students begin to catch the hidden fish, they will find a relationship between the integers in the ordered pairs. By identifying the coordinates of a point on the Cartesian plane, students will earn points by catching minnows, mackerel, red snapper, or sharks. Extension activities include Interactive games, board games, and videos. Your students will have fun listening to a fishing song.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Calculating Elapsed Time with Time Rulers
Description: Students will explore their prior knowledge of time, discuss fractional parts of an hour, and use a specialized time ruler to calculate elapsed time for real life situations.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Career Technologies (9 - 10)
Title: History of Math as We Know It
Description: Students will ne researching a famous mathematician to create and present a presentation on him/her and his/her contributions to mathematics. Students will contribute their research content to a class wiki.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2), English Language Arts (2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Digging In For Dirt Day!
Description: This lesson is managed through stations that students will rotate around every 20- 30 minutes. Each second grade teacher conducts one station. Parent volunteers can also be used to manage stations. Students will use an auger to gather soil, produce a soil painting, make a dirt cup to represent layers of soil, do a Shake It Up! activity to examine how soil settles, and examine local soil.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: A Piece of Pi
Description: This lesson uses graphing to help students understand that pi is a constant and is the slope of the line graphed on a circumference vs. diameter graph.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Arts Education (7 - 12), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (7)
Title: Cartoons and Scale Drawings
Description: This lesson will lead students to understand the concept of scale drawings. The students will artistically and mathematically enlarge a cartoon.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (1), Technology Education (K - 5)
Title: Surviving in the World!
Description: After learning about the survival traits of the chameleon, students will work in groups to research the survival traits of other animals on the Internet and will create a slide show using the collected information to share with the class.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Virtual Owl Pellet Dissection
Description: This lesson is virtual dissection of Owl Pellets. This interactive website gives the option of dissecting pellets from many kinds of owls. This would be great to use before actually dissecting, because it would help student learn to identify the bones before the actual dissection.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), Science (3)
Title: Waste Not, Want Not
Description: The students will take a look at the different items that they come in contact with everyday. The students plan ways that they can reduce items that need to be recycled.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Fibonacci Poetry
Description: Students will review the Fibonacci sequence and compose poems with the number of syllables in each line corresponding to the the numbers of that sequence.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3)
Title: What's Your Guess? (Probability)
Description: This lesson will allow the student to experience a series of informal comparisons, The student will explore the chances of various outcomes of an event. The student will use vocabulary associated with probability.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (1)
Title: A Rockin' Investigation
Description: By using the resources on this web-based activity, students will gain an understanding of the rock cycle including how sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks form.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (7)
Title: Introduction to Banking
Description: This activity will introduce students to the topic of banking. It is a hands-on lesson in which the students will be writing checks and deposit slips and keeping up with a check register. It is a technology-based lesson that uses interactive websites as well as a presentation to enhance the lesson. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Wired for Learning
Description: As part of a unit on electrical circuits, students will work in collaborative groups to create a video of how to construct parallel and series circuits. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (7)
Title: Circles All Around Us
Description: In this lesson, students will estimate several dimensions of circles in everyday objects. Students will use the metric and customary systems for their estimations. This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Painting the Pyramids
Description: The students will find the area of each two dimensional figure on a net of a square pyramid. In groups, students will cut out the net and create a square pyramid. Groups will then discuss how to find the lateral area and the total surface area of the solid.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (4)
Title: Easy Equivalent Measures
Description: Easy Equivalent Measures is an exciting, engaging lesson that will make this unpopular, hard skill EASY for your students. We will use Input/Output charts to demonstrate our knowledge of equivalent measures. This lesson will support the needs of all your diverse learners.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (7)
Title: Are You INTEREST-ed?
Description: In this lesson, students will explore simple interest through the use of studying loans and savings accounts. The students will generate the formula I=P x r x t to calculate simple interest on loans. Students will become familiar with "positive" and "negative" effects interest has on real-life applications.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (1 - 3)
Title: Fraction Find!
Description: Students will explore fractions through an interactive website. They will apply this knowledge while finding shapes with equivalent fractions.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (K)
Title: A Scents-able Solution
Description: Students will use a variety of math operations to create a flower bouquet within a budget.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (6 - 8)
Title: Popcorn - Bucket or Box?
Description: In this exploration, students will apply their knowledge of finding volume and surface area of cylinders and rectangular prisms. Students will make recommendations to the local movie theater after determining which package is cost effective. Students will support their decision through a presentation.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Shape Makers
Description: In this Five E’s AMSTI lesson, students discover relationships between shapes. Students discover multiple ways to combine shapes to fill the area of a given shape using real and virtual pattern blocks, and share their solutions with peers. Children create puzzles for a partner and play an online game to reinforce their learning.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3)
Title: Using Sign Language to Write Four-Digit Numbers in Words
Description: In my experience, children love to learn and experiment with sign language. In this lesson, children will learn numbers 1-100 in sign language and will use that knowledge to sign four digit numbers to be written in words.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Show Me the Money
Description: In this lesson, students identify coins, describe their attributes, learn their value, and count like coins. Students view an interactive web lesson that provides practice. Concepts are taught using songs, poems and games.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Family Ties: Parabolas
Description: This lesson allows students to manipulate the parameters while using the vertex form of the equation of a parabola to see the effects on the graph. The spreadsheet can be altered for other functions.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 6), Science (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 6), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Scaling Down the Solar System
Description: In this lesson students will work collaboratively to gain a better understanding of the vastness of space by scaling down the solar system.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (1)
Title: Fraction Fun
Description: The students will participate in a hands-on lesson about dividing a whole object into parts. They will also practice simple addition.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (K - 2), Science (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Away We Go!
Description: Students will survey various classes about the type of transportation that delivers them to school. Students will then combine data and with the help of a teacher create a virtual graph.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Social Studies (4), Mathematics (4)
Title: A Time To Travel!
Description: Students will research how transportation has changed throughout the years. Students will construct a timeline of transportation through the years.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Promise of a Seed
Description: In this lesson, students will plant seeds, record the changes, and connect the relationship of seeds to plants. This lesson should be taught at the beginning of plant unit.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (7)
Title: Shadows and Indirect Measurement
Description: This lesson will allow students to measure shadows to compute heights indirectly. They will set up and solve a proportion to find the height of a light pole on campus.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Sweethearts and Data Analysis
Description: This activity uses boxes of Sweethearts for students to gather data. They will perform computations and use their data to create a circle graph, frequency table, histogram, and line plot.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (K), English Language Arts (K), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K - 1)
Title: Making Measuring Meaningful!
Description: This activity helps students recognize that measuring tools can come in many different shapes and sizes. The student's will develop creative-thinking, math, and social skills as they use nontraditional and traditional measuring tools.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: "Electron"-ic Battleship
Description: The students will play a game of Battleship on the Periodic Table to review electron configuration of the elements.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (2 - 3), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: May the Force Be With You!
Description: The goal of this lesson is to provide students with hands on experiences, while learning about magnets. This lesson engages students in experiments which explore magnet use. An emphasis is placed on open-ended questions which encourage students to ask questions to each other.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Acres Away!
Description: In the lesson students will use a matrix to determine the area of a triangular piece of land. The student will be supplied with state plane coordinates and conversion information to calculate the area and then convert to acres.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Types of Chemical Reactions and Predicting Products
Description: The guided inquiry activity enables students to identify the five basic types of reactions - synthesis or composition, decomposition, combustion, single replacement and double replacement. Students will also begin to predict the products for each of these types of reactions. The activity was developed in cooperation with Michelle Holdbrooks of Thompson High School.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Rolling, Rolling, Rolling
Description: This activity allows students to review their knowledge of monatomic and polyatomic ions. After rolling the ion dice, the students will write the correct chemical formula and name for the compound "rolled".This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Searching Solid Shapes
Description: Students will identify solid shapes and work in groups to search for solid shapes (sphere, cylinder, cube, and cone) that have been hidden on the playground. They will create a photostory about their shape to be displayed on the class's webpage.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Great Golly Graphs
Description: This activity allows students to create their own survey question and ask people around the school to see the results. Students will take the results and display it in several types of graphs. The class will also discuss biased graphs and survey questions.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (K - 2), Social Studies (K - 2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Continent Jump
Description: Students will learn about animals that live on all seven continents. Students and teachers will use websites to learn additional information about the animals from various continents.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Balancing Chemical Reactions
Description: Students will participate in a guided inquiry activity using manipulatives to learn how to balance chemical reactions.
This activity was developed in cooperation with Michelle Holdbrooks at Thompson High School (mholdbrooks@shelyed.k12.al.us).
Subject: Science (7)
Title: Wear Your DNA Necklace!
Description: DNA extraction is a necessary and routine step in many biotechnology procedures, such as DNA fingerprinting. Students will observe the properties of DNA by extracting the molecule from their own cheek cells. If possible, students should not eat or brush their teeth before this lab.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8)
Title: Nifty Nets
Description: During this activity, students will create nets for prisms. They will find the volume and surface area of the shapes. They will also use interactive activities to review three-dimensional shapes.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8)
Title: Order Of Operations Competition
Description: This activity will bring a fun and interactive way to get extra practice with the Order of Operations. Students will play a game that allows them to set up problems and calculate answers using the Order of Operations.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3)
Title: Up or Down? (Rounding Numbers)
Description: This is a lesson in which students identify and demonstrate usage of the rules for rounding numbers to the nearest 100. Once the rules are internalized the students can extend the process of rounding number to 99,000,000.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (7)
Title: Make a Pizza Garden With or Without Hair!
Description: This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn about plants while growing their own garden of herbs and vegetables for a class pizza. This project will allow students to grow everything for a pizza except the dough, mozzarella, and pepperoni. Divide the class into the hair group and the no-hair group to gather data on the effects of using human hair as a fertilize base while exploring the processes of photosynthesis, parts of plants. and characteristics of life.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: S'mores - Limiting & Excess Reactants (Reagents)
Description: Students will use manipulatives that represent the ingredients for S'mores (graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate bar) to determine the limiting and excess reactants (reagents) for making S'mores. The students will extend this to preparing hot dogs for guests at a party and then relate the concept to an actual chemical reaction.This lesson is modified from a lesson by Rick Moog (POGIL project) and in cooperation with Michelle Holdbrooks at Thompson High School.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 1)
Title: "Shape Up or Ship Out"
Description: In this activity, students will identify shapes that architects use to build houses. Students will then explore these shapes by building a model "dream" home.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: "Fantastic Fractions"
Description: The students will use sugar-free Gummy bears to identify fractional parts of the whole. The students will create a graph using the information obtain.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Camouflage Predation Challenge
Description: Through this simulation, students will understand the role of camouflage in keeping animals from attracting attention of their predators. Using newspaper and patterned wrapping paper, students will construct two habitats. Students will then compete in timed hunts to spot and collect objects within the habitats and will graph the results of their hunt.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Arts Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Tessellations
Description: This activity will introduce, explore, and create tessellations. The students will view samples of art made by tessellating shapes. They will also create their own piece of art by choosing a tessellation.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Party Planner
Description: In this activity, students will work in groups to plan a party. Students will work with adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals to pay for their party supplies. Students will create a multimedia presentation to the class about the party supplies they decided to purchase.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: Souper Scooper
Description: This hands-on, inquiry based lesson is an extension of the AMSTI Science Module, Solids and Liquids. Students use nonstandard units to measure beans in a soup mix. Students predict how many beans will be in a scoop. Students group beans by ones, tens and hundreds and complete a chart of their work.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3)
Title: Investigating and Discovering Input & Output Patterns!
Description: This lesson will investigate the patterns involved with Input & Output charts. The students will explore this concept through engaging, inquiry based activities. You will be able to meet the diverse needs of all your learners.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (5), English Language Arts (5), Mathematics (5)
Title: What’s in a Box?
Description:
The class has been contracted to work for a box factory. They are to make cube shaped jewelry boxes. Students determine how many different nets are possible and then analyze the resulting cubes. This real-world situation helps to develop students' spatial visualization skills and geometric understanding.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4)
Title: Explorations in Place Value
Description: Explorations in Place Value is an interactive math mini-unit that incorporates the use of children’s literature, mathematical learning stations, and small group instructional strategies to reinforce basic principles of place value and to teach students about writing large numbers in expanded notation.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Imaginary numbers? What do you mean imaginary?
Description: Is it any wonder that students are suspicious? We lead, sometimes drag, them through Algebra I insisting they must follow the order of operations. We make them learn the "hard way" of doing an assignment one day only to show them the "short cut" the next. We give them difficult equations that require what appears to be nothing less than magic to solve. The one reality to which they've managed to cling is what "someone" told them a long time ago. . ."You can't take the square root of a negative number." Just when students are convinced we've been making all of this up all along, we introduce imaginary numbers.
This lesson is designed as a computer lab activity. If you're looking for a more traditional classroom activity, please see this lesson developed by Jerry Weeks: http://alex.state.al.us/lesson_view.php?id=11364
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8)
Title: Let's Get SCIENTIFIC with Numbers!
Description: Using calculators, students will write and interpret large and small numbers using scientific and calculator notation. This exploration will also help students to develop an understanding of the ways exponents are used in writing and multiplying large and small numbers using scientific notation.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3)
Title: Fractions on a Number Line
Description: As students master the concept of the number line, they may be curious about where fractions would fit on a standard number line. Students will work cooperatively to explore the possibilities where fractions lie on number lines. Students will also work independently to extend and enrich their new knowledge of fractions on number lines.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally
Description: As a hands-on lesson, the students will recognize the correct usage of the order of operations. In groups, the students will work cooperatively to discover the importance of following step-by-step instructions and apply that knowledge in solving algebraic equations by correctly using the order of operations.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (3), English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3)
Title: Let's Go Shopping!
Description: This lesson will give students practice with adding and subtracting money using a calculator. It will provide them an opportunity to determine savings using a store coupon, and determine the change they should recieve when making purchases using $1.00 and $5.00 bills.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: What do we have in Common? Discover the properties of the diagonals of quadrilaterals.
Description: This inquiry lesson explores the definitions of quadrilaterals and the properties of the diagonals of quadrilaterals to classify quadrilaterals. Students will work cooperatively to justify conclusions.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Positively F.U.N. ! (fantastic, unique, and noteworthy) ways to idenitfy and add positive and negative integers)
Description: This lesson will actively engage students to identify and add positive and negative integers. In cooperative groups, students will discuss everyday vocabulary that will activate students' existing background knowledge and set the purpose for understanding integers. Students will integrate new information with prior knowledge.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (8)
Title: Hip to be Square
Description: This lesson will guide students through the discovery of naming square roots of perfect squares. Students will build squares and determine the side lengths to notice the relationship between the side lengths and the area of the squares. This could be a hands-on or technology based activity.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (8)
Title: Midpoint of a Line Segment.
Description: Investigate finding the midpoint of a line segment and derive the formula for the midpoint of two points on a coordinate plane.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K - 1)
Title: Share and Share Alike (Equal Parts)
Description: This Five E’s AMSTI lesson plan equips students to divide an object into equal parts. A story and interactive whiteboard activity about sharing food demonstrate the idea of equal halves of circles, after which students attempt to half squares and rectangles, and explain their findings to the group. Finally, children divide paper and electronic pizzas into 3 and 4 equal parts.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (2), English Language Arts (2), Mathematics (1 - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: What's the Chance?
Description: Students engage in opportunities to label events that are likely, unlikely, certain and impossible.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Why do we need measurement tools?
Description: This lesson will explore the need for standard measurement tools. It will engage the students and promote critical thinking and reasoning. This is a lead in lesson to conversions.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (1), English Language Arts (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Guess My Shape
Description: The students will make the connection between 2-D and 3-D shapes using modeling clay and geometric solids and participate in an interactive web lesson. Students will make predictions about what 2-D shape they think will be made when they press 3-D solids into modeling clay. They will then check their predictions.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Cutting the CHEESE
Description: The students will find the area of each two dimensional figure on a net of a triangular prism. In groups, students will cut out the net and create a triangular prism. Groups will then discuss how to find the lateral area and the total surface area of the solid.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (1), English Language Arts (1), Arts Education (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: Who's Line Is It Anyway?
Description: In this lesson students will learn about line of symmetry in real life objects. An interactive web lesson is used to engage students and give a multitude of real life examples with some interactive practice. The lesson also includes an art activity in the extension.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Dartboard Probability
Description: In this lesson students will find probability of events presented in a geometric context.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Polynomials Divided by Monomials
Description: Investigation of division of polynomials by mononials.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Rockin' Around The Clock
Description: This lesson will introduce students to the clock and telling time to the hour.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Arc Lengths and Sector Areas
Description: Students will work in cooperative groups to discover the relationships between arc length, central angle measure, and circumference. They will also discover the relationship between circle area, central angle measures, and sector area. Students will share their discoveries and create formulas for calculating arc length and sector area. Then they will practice these skills in a journal entry and solving a real-life extension.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: "Movin' On Up"
Description: Students will use their knowledge of scale factor to enlarge a picture to scale. They will then use PhotoStory to create a collage of their pictures.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Science (1), Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (1)
Title: "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes"
Description: Students will have the opportunity to learn names of many parts of the human body and how they helps the body function healthy. Students will put a skeleton together to create a full human body.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (4)
Title: "Ridin' Along In My Automobile"
Description: Students will research prices of used cars to discover how automobiles lose their value over time. Students will create a chart to record their information, use their chart to graph their data, and find measures of central tendency of their data. Students will present their findings and discuss the results.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3)
Title: You Scream, I Scream, We all Scream for Ice cream !
Description: Fun and yummy lesson to do on a sunny spring afternoon. Have the students take a poll of their favorite choice of ice cream and create a bar graph showing the information.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: What’s That Coin?
Description: This Five E’s AMSTI lesson prompts students to pay close attention to the details on each of the four U.S. coins as they learn the coin names. Students watch a video clip about the differences in the coins, sort real coins by attributes, and describe details observed on each coin during this activity. Student knowledge of coin names is cemented during a large group electronic coin sorting and naming activity. Finally, small groups graph collections of coins.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (2), English Language Arts (2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: 100 More Hungry Ants
Description: Students will investigate what happens to the number of ants at a picinc when 100 more ants arrive at the picnic. They will explore this concept using a slide presentation followed by a partner game.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4 - 5)
Title: Exploring Prime Numbers
Description: Exploring Prime Numbers is a hands-on, minds-on math lesson that engages students in the discovery of prime numbers through the construction of multiplication arrays. Students then extend on their background knowledge of multiples and their new understanding of prime and composite numbers to complete an Eratosthenes’ Sieve.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Geometric Mean and Indirect Measurement
Description: In this inquiry-based lesson, students will work in groups to gather measurements needed to approximate the height of a building. Students will discover how geometric mean can be used to find the lengths of missing sides of right triangles.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Pump Up the Volume
Description: In this lesson, students will be required to generate a formula for volume of a rectangular prism. Students working in cooperative groups will use prior knowledge for finding area of a rectangle to determine the "amount of area in a rectangular prism" they have created with a stack of cards.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Thinking outside the "BOX"
Description: The students will find the area of each two dimensional figure on a net of a rectangular prism. In groups, students will cut out the net and create a rectangular prism. Groups will then discuss how to find the lateral area and the total surface area of the solid.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1)
Title: I Want My Half- An Interactive Lesson Introducing Fractions
Description:
In this lesson, the children will identify parts of a whole using modeling clay, participate in an interactive web lesson, participate in an interactive web game, and construct a fraction poster. The activities are used as instructional plans to help students better understand shapes and parts of a shape up to a whole.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Time Flies By!
Description: Students will review time by representing given times on their classroom clock. They will then work individually or with a partner to explore elapsed time problems using a clock and interactive software.
This lesson plan was created by exemplary Alabama Math Teachers through the AMSTI project.
Subject: Mathematics (K), English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (K), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: What Can Shapes Be....
Description: This is a hands-on lesson that will help students explore shapes in their environment. Students will work in diverse groups to complete this activity. Students will make a class book of their findings.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K)
Title: The Shape of Things!
Description: With this lesson, students will recognize and use the 4 basic shapes to create objects that they find in their enviornment. The students will then use their "shape creation" and recreate it on the computer.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (4 - 6)
Title: Can you survive in the real world?
Description: Living in the real world is expensive and sometimes hard for a new college graduate to adjust to. This lesson will allow students to see the importance and need of budgeting money. Students will have to make choices and research different budget areas. Can they survive in the real world?
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (7)
Title: Don't Compound the Problem
Description: Students will be able to determine the probability of a compound event. Drawing on their knowledge of simple probability to find the probability of more complex outcomes. Students will create a poster, PowerPoint, booklet, or foldable to display the process of calculating a compound probability.
Subject: Science (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: From Egg to Chick
Description: This lesson is intended to help students realize that they can learn much about eggs/chicks or any animal through careful observation. They will become familiar with the importance and proper care of eggs/chicks, whether on a farm or in a classroom hatching project.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (6 - 8)
Title: How Tall Is Hagrid?
Description: This activity uses data collection method for students to mathematically compute the height and shoulder width of the character Hagrid from Harry Potter. Students will measure their own heights and shoulder widths to come up with a class average. They will use this average to find an approximation of the size of Hagrid.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (4)
Title: Math at Dinner!
Description: Each group of students will use word processing software to create a restaurant menu complete with food titles and prices. Groups will then exchange menus and use the menus to order a meal. Each student will total their meal, add 10% sales tax, 15% gratuity and figure their change from $20.00.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (5 - 6)
Title: Aquarium Project
Description: The class is given money to purchase fish for a class aquarium. Students must use the size and lifestyle requirements for the fish to decide which type to buy. Students must present their proposal to the principal in a letter.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Burn Baby Burn!
Description: The students will review the concepts of electromagnetic spectrum, properties of light, and the transition from ground to excited state of electrons in atoms. In laboratory groups, the students will identify the characteristic light emitted by excited metallic ions and use their results to identify an unknown metallic ion.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (4 - 6)
Title: My Favorite Number
Description: The activity allows students to review many of the number theory concepts. Students will pick a composite number write verbal expressions about the number, find the factors, prime factorization, list multiples, draw a cartoon character of the number, and write a word problem. The purpose of this activity is to be a review of the number theory topics taught during middle school.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (5)
Title: And the Point Is???
Description: Students will identify and describe the parts of a coordinate grid. Students will explain how to find and graph ordered pairs on a coordinate grid. Using a word processing program, students will create a coordinate grid activity sheet.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Introduction to the Light Microscope: The Virtual Microscope
Description: This is a Microscope Internet Lab that can be used as a virtual lab for a whole class or as a make-up lab. The virtual microscope is a little more complicated than the microscope that are used in the labs but it will not be difficult to use.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (4)
Title: Hanging Out with Prime Factorization
Description: During this lesson, students will review factors, prime and composite numbers. Students will also create a mobile that show the prime factorization of the number of their choice.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: How Sweet It Is
Description: As part of the study of Matter, the students will determine the density of standard percent sugar solutions through hands on experimentation. In laboratory groups, students will graph a standardized curve of the experimental data. The students will use the standardized curve and experimental data obtained in the laboratory to interpolate the percent sugar in the different soft drink samples.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (K - 1), Mathematics (K - 2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 1)
Title: To Push or Pull, That Is The Question?
Description: In group students will learn to identify pushes and pulls. Students will learn how a push or pull will affect various items.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: $100 Picture
Description: This is a lesson where collaborative learning groups are used to explore perimeter and area of an irregular figure using pattern blocks. This lesson should be used after students have already had some experience with finding the perimeter and area of a figure.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Building A Cell: Edible Cell Project
Description: Students will create an Eukaryotic cell from materials that they can eat. Students will need to have a lesson on the types of Eukaryotic cells and its organelles before they complete this assignment. Students will construct these projects at home and present them to the class. Pictures will be taken of the students and their Edible cell. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 6), Mathematics (3 - 6), Mathematics (5 - 6)
Title: Human Ordered Pairs
Description: Students will work in collaborative groups to create a life-size Cartesian plane and insert themselves as the ordered pairs.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (7 - 8)
Title: Genetic Babies
Description: Students will explore Gregor Mendel's laws of genetics in this lesson. Students will be paired in male and female groups. If girls and boys can't be evenly divided, same sex students can be paired to represent research scientists. Different candy will represent alleles for various characteristics. Students will combine dominant and recessive traits to determine the phenotype and genotype of their genetic babies. The genetic baby will be designed and displayed for peers to view.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Social Studies (8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6)
Title: Equations Gone Crazy
Description: In this lesson, students will work with one-step and two-step equations. They will create and solve both types of equations. Students will also research ancient number systems and write, solve and check their equations using the ancient number system of their choice.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (5 - 7)
Title: Ping Pong Madness
Description: In this lesson, students will use their knowledge of 3D shapes to create packages for ping pong balls. They must create small, medium and large packages that are cost effective and stack easily. They will make nets of the their packages and find the volume and surface area of each. Students will present the information using a multi-media presentation and a spreadsheet software. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3 - 7), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (7)
Title: Maybe - Maybe Not (Probability Introduction)
Description: This is a beginning lesson on the concept of probability. Through a series of informal comparisons, the student will explore the chances of various outcomes of an event. The student will use vocabulary associated with probability.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (5 - 6)
Title: The Average Middle "Schooler"
Description: In this lesson, students will work in groups to find the average middle school student. They will measure members of the group, find the average, and convert to different units of measure. Students will also conduct a survey and display the information in graphs.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Beyond the Earth Part II
Description: A continuation of Beyond the Earth Part I. As part of a unit on the solar system, students will choose a component of the solar system to research. Students may use a variety of resources such as the Internet, books, and reference materials. Once the research is complete, students will work in collaborative groups to design travel brochures using a desktop publishing program.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Beyond The Earth Part I
Description: Students will access prior knowledge of the solar system by completing a graphic organizer. After participating in a teacher lecture and whole group discussion, the students will work in collaborative groups to create a computer-generated drawing of the solar system. Students must label each part and write a brief description of it.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (K - 1), Science (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1 - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Wheels All Around
Description: Students will use skip counting to see how many wheels visit the school during specified times in one day.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (4)
Title: This is How We Roll!
Description: Students take on the role of engineers who need to design a roller coaster. They will explore the history of roller coasters, the different types, and the many things that can affect the success or failure of a roller coaster. Finally the students will use a variety of Internet resources to guide them as they create their own roller coaster and test it for success. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 6), Science (5), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (4 - 6), Mathematics (4 - 7)
Title: Questioning NASA
Description: In this lesson students will work collaboratively to explore the "Big Question" that led up to this lesson was "Why are there two solid rocket boosters used to launch the space shuttle instead of one with the same amount of fuel?"
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Science (1), Character Education (K - 12), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: How Fast Can You Go?
Description: Students will experience force and speed by constructing model cars in cooperative groups. The students will explore ways to move their cars at different speeds. Each group will do a PhotoStory describing their cars.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Discovering Pi
Description: This lesson allows students to discover the number Pi. By measuring real life objects, students will get to see where the number Pi comes from as well as how the circumference formula is derived.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: What's the Matter - Concentration Game
Description:
What’s the Matter? is a guided inquiry lesson on classification of matter, physical and chemical properties, and physical and chemical changes. There are two parts to this lesson: (a) concentration game for definitions and (b) concentration game for matter classification, physical and chemical properties, and physical and chemical changes. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Social Studies (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12)
Title: The Tennessee Valley Authority and the Lost Towns of Marshall County, Alabama
Description: Students will create computer models based both on contemporary maps and primary sources to explore the role of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s hydroelectric projects in altering more than 75 miles of the natural landscape and in displacing communities along the Tennessee River.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Science (4), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (K - 4)
Title: Geometric Shadows
Description: Students will identify objects as translucent, transparent, or opaque. Upon seeing the shadow of the opaque object, students will identify the geometric figure created by the shadow.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Which Came First, Ice Cream or Refrigeration?
Description: As students begin their study of states of matter, this hands-on activity demonstrates how the interaction of a solid and a liquid can reverse the initial state of each material.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Body Tissue Lab
Description: Students will complete a virtual lab on Human Body Tissues. This lab can be found by going to http://wps.aw.com/bc_marieb_ehap_8/25/6525/1670654.cw/index.html and clicking on "Histology" under the "Chapter Features." In this lab, students will be in groups of two in a computer lab. Students will go to the website listed above to view and draw specific body tissues that are outlined in the student e-lab that they will have to download. At the end of the assignment, students will make a portfolio of their tissues. Students will be assessed using a e-rubric that they will also have to download.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (2 - 4), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: Let's Get Going!
Description: By doing this lesson the students will have the opportunity to explore transportation firsts. By exporing this information, the students will make a timeline charting the year when the forms of transportation were invented.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: 3,2,1…Spinoff
Description: As part of the study of Space, the students will do research on and create a podcast/vodcast about spinoffs developed from space exploration. In groups, students will use various websites to acquire information about technological advancements that have been made over time. Groups will then write scripts and compose a podcast/vodcast to be shared on the school’s website.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: The Class Quilt
Description: Students will design a 12 inch quilt square consisting of geometrical shapes.They must use their knowledge of fractions and polygons in order to create an exact 12" by 12" square.Students will use knowledge of area of a figure in order to create a quilt using their squares.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Battleships
Description: This lesson is designed to review and reinforce three methods (graphing, substitution and elimination) of solving systems of linear equations. The students will work together and independently to find the solutions to systems of equations that simulate the linear path of the battleship and the path of the battleships’ torpedo. If the solution exists then we will be able to determine if one battleship might be able to sink another. (Shared with permission of Twyla Fryer.)This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (2 - 3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: We Are Family!
Description:
This is a fun way to incorporate fun with addition and subtraction fact families. The students will have fun matching facts and making a happy home.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), Science (7)
Title: Is the Cell Membrane Semi-Permeable?
Description: As part of the study of the cell, students will perform a three day hands-on inquiry to determine if the cell membrane of an egg is semi-permeable. Students will work individually or in groups as they explore the functions of the cell membrane. Students will create a lab report using the scientific method. The program Excel or any other comparable program will be used to assist students with developing graphs and charts in for the data section. The Internet will be used to assist student in exploring illnesses associated the malfunctioning of the cell membrane.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (7)
Title: Wheel of Fortune and Probability
Description: This activity will lead students to discover a real life application of probability. This activity utilizes various skills, such as data organization, data analysis, and probability computations. Students will work in cooperative groups to complete the lesson.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (7)
Title: Credit Cards Are "Interest"ing
Description: Students will create a credit card, focusing on appealing terms and slogan. They will use their credit card to go on a shopping spree. The students will receive a "BILL" to discover/discuss the effects/application of simple interest.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (4)
Title: I'm Into Money!!!
Description: Many students come to third grade needing to review and/or be retaught counting money and making change. This lesson will begin with a review of counting money. It will then introduce making change.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Exponents and Division
Description: This activity will introduce the exponent and division rule, the zero exponent rule, and the negative exponent rule. Students will make a human fraction to discover the division rule for exponents. The lesson will also introduce various interactive sites for reviewing exponent rules.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: Exploring Slope
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to help students see the real world application of slope. The students will view a movie clip of slope, calculate the slope of stairs in the school building, and analyze results.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: How Wide is My World?
Description: Students will learn how to gather information, design, and create a presentation, publication, and a web page that reflect a desire for the students to make a difference in their world. Essential components of each multimedia will be demonstrated. Final products will be created and presented to their classmates for evaluation.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: Dressing the Part
Description: Dress code requirements in business and school are always a controversial topic. In this project students will research the value of dressing appropriately for a variety of settings to include business and school. They will research various Internet resources and use the data collected to analyze how this may have impacted the dress code requirements of their school system and create a dress code brochure with their student body as the audience.
This is a Commerce and Information Project.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Career Cluster Electives (9 - 12)
Title: Who Am I? What Have I Done? Where Am I Going?
Description: This is a project-based lesson plan designed to guide students through the creation of a digital career portfolio. This lesson is only a guide based on the requirements from a Career Tech Student Organization.
This is a Commerce and Information Technology Lesson Plan.
Students will use the same rubric throughout the process to maximize learning opportunity.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: Marketing Your Business
Description: Marketing is the activities of a company associated with buying and selling a product or service. It includes advertising, selling, and delivering products to people. In order to successfully market and sell your products and /or services to customers, it is necessary to have a marketing plan. A Marketing Plan should address the 4 P’s of Marketing: Product, Place, Price, and Promotion. Students will produce a marketing plan using the marketing mix (4 P’s) for a fictitious business they have created. This is a Commerce and Information Technology project-based lesson plan.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12)
Title: If You're Working With My Money...
Description: In this lesson, students will handle money by opening a cash fund, arranging the money in a cash drawer, make change, and reconcile the cash drawer at the end of a business day. After learning the procedure for handling and reconciling the cash drawer, students will write a job description for the position. This is a commerce and information technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: Our Business
Description: Students (working with a partner) will create a business. This project can be used at the end of the year as a major project or divided up into smaller lessons. Project incorporates all of the content standards.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: How much will this lifestyle cost?
Description: Students will create a detailed monthly budget using a spreadsheet. The budget will depend on an individual’s earning potential as determined by career choice and education.
This is a project-based, Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: Visual Merchandising in a Box
Description: Students will analyze and critique print and broadcast media to discern how to attract customers and maximize sales potential, creating an understanding of customer buying habits. As the culminating project, students will use a shoebox as a mini-storefront to create an attractive display by choosing type of display, knowledge of buying habits and promotional concepts. This is a Commerce and Information Technology Lesson Plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Christmas Creations
Description: Students will create their own Christmas ornaments and gift labels. Students must be able to set up the formatting for these documents appropriately using graphic design software. (Please also see project-based lesson plan attachment.)
This is a Commerce and Information Technology Lesson Plan.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: Do You Know How?
A Technical Manual for Using Highly Technical 21st Century Devices
Description: Students will write in a technical genre. "Technical writing conveys specific information about a technical subject to a specific audience for a specific purpose. The words and graphics of technical writing are meant to be practical: that is, to communicate a body of factual information that will help an audience understand a subject or carry out a task." —Michael H. Markel Director of Technical Communication Boise State University Portions of this lesson were adapted from Micron - Writing in the Workplace. This is a Commerce and Information Technology Project-Based Lesson Plan.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12)
Title: Financial Lessons From A Hurricane
Description: Students will participate in Katrina’s Classroom curriculum provided by the Federal Reserve Bank. The lesson emphasizes the importance of being prepared for a financial emergency. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: Career Plans
Description: The project will consist of Internet research and Modern Language Association (MLA) style reports created in Microsoft Word. Each student will create their own report. This project will give students an opportunity to increase their knowledge about their career choice. This is a Commerce and Technology Information lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: My Career Plans Presentation
Description: Students will research a career of their choice. A PowerPoint presentation will be created and presented to the class. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Preparing for Tax Day
Description: This unit is to expose students to different types of earnings, determine gross earning, calculate payroll deductions, and net pay. This project will have students journalize payment of payroll, employer payroll taxes, and payment of payroll tax. Also, students will research tax tables and complete federal and state tax forms. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: What is Commerce and Information Technology, FBLA and DECA? Kiosk It!
Description: Students will set up a kiosk which has been created to display a multimedia presentation about the school's Commerce and Information Technology Department and student organizations. The kiosk demonstration may take place during the school's Open House, Freshmen Orientation, etc. This is a Commerce and Information Technology Project-Based Lesson Plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Snail Mail or E-Mail Blast! Which Proves More Effective?
Description: Students will use business letters and email to recruit professional members for the Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) using the Chamber of Commerce member listing. This lesson plan is targeted toward Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). However, this lesson could be adapted by any CTSO.This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: "Real World" Promotional Campaign Experience
Description: This Project Base Learning Experience offers a variety of learning experiences for the student. The project allows "real world" experience in creating a Promotion Plan for an actual Business/Organization. Student will present their project to the Business/Organization. Students will be introduced to identifying target markets, determining media use, preparing a budget, and developing a timeline for a product or service. Students will develop an advertising campaign for a actual group/company/organization.
THIS IS A COMMERCE & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LESSON PLAN.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: Correspondence for the Real World
Description: As future employees, students should be aware of the various forms of business correspondence. Students will learn how to use wizards and templates from a word processing software to create business letters. This project allows students to research a career of interest and use real-world data to compose letters of inquiry requesting information from individuals in the community that are actively employed in the career field that they are interested in. This is project-based, Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Is My Checkbook Balanced?
Description: In this lesson, students will write checks, complete and record deposits, reconcile a bank statement, journalize bank statement transactions, and check for errors. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: CTSO Recruitment for the “Tech Savvy”
Description: Career Tech Student Organization (CTSO) should be an integral part of Commerce Information Technology courses. This lesson will allow students to take an active role in promoting their CTSO organization. This lesson is an ideal teamwork activity in which students teams will be responsible for creating a Marketing Pamphlet utilizing photo’s taken from previous and current year activities.
This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: What is Entrepreneurship?
Description: Students will explore entrepreneurship by visiting various websites and conducting research. They will also take an online quiz “Are You A Born Entrepreneur" to determine if they have the characteristics most associated with successful entrepreneurs. Individual projects will be prepared for presentation based upon their findings using Blabberize or Voki’s.
Subject: Information Technology (9 - 12)
Title: Warning! An Identity Theft Brochure
Description: Create a brochure that warns young adults about Identity Theft and Phishing. This brochure is created from information from the FDIC website. This is a Commerce and Information Technology Lesson Plan.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Sharing Original Nursery Rhymes (Distance Learning)
Description: Collaboration of creative writing/creative dramatics using Distance Learning. With a partner, students will write an original nursery rhyme and share/present with another class (Distance Learning) through presentations (dramatization, puppet show, illustration/book, PowerPoint, etc.).
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: A Car for College?
Description: In this lesson, students will create a budget and project savings for 2 years. They will project using their savings to purchase a car for graduation. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9), English Language Arts (9)
Title: Shakespeare's England
Description: As a preface to Romeo and Juliet, mixed-ability student groups (chosen by teacher) will complete a technology-based lesson on Shakespeare's England. Students will research topics on Shakespeare's life and Elizabethan England. Upon completion of their research, groups will compile, prepare, and present their information to classmates in a PowerPoint presentation.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: PowerPoint for Beginners - A Show About Me
Description: Students will use multimedia products to create and present "A Show About Me" to the class. The students will learn how to use PowerPoint software to create a 5-slide slideshow and use this to give an oral presentation with PowerPoint as their visual aid.
Subject: Arts Education (2), Arts Education (2)
Title: Wax Crayon Mosaics
Description: This lesson will allow students to create a mosaic design. Attention will be drawn to pattern and color choice. Students will have experience with 3D art processes.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Let's Build a Keyboard!
Description: Keyboarding for young children with short attention spans can be hard to teach. In order to create an exciting atmosphere, the class will build a classroom keyboard character. Children will learn about basic parts of the computer. The class will build a keyboard character to display in the classroom. The children will also use Type to Learn, Jr. in order to learn early typing skills.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Digital Book Talking: Promoting a School-Wide Appreciation for Literature
Description: Students will work collaboratively to create and produce a digital book talk based on their personal thoughts of a novel. The digital book talk will be shown throughout the school to spark excitement in the book.
Subject: Health Education (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Fatty Snacks
Description: "Fatty Snacks" is an inquiry-based lesson which allows students the opportunity to collect data related to the nutritional value, more specifically fats, of favorite snack foods. Using the scientific method, students test favorite snack foods to determine the fat content of each tested snack food. Using the data, students draw conclusions and make decisions based on results. Using Excel software, the students create appropriate graphs to represent their data and show comparisons of the different tested snack foods.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Predict the Future?
Description: Students will use data collected and a "best-fit line" to make predictions for the future. The example the students will be working on for this lesson will demonstrate an exponential regression.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (11), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Classify with the Library of Congress
Description: Students will learn about the Library of Congress Classification System by viewing online tutorials.Students will create visual aids to communicate an understanding of the system. Students will use the LCC to locate and organize books.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Applications of Area Abound
Description: The teacher will first provide direction instruction on area formulas and provide students an opportunity to practice using those formulas. Students will then apply their knowledge of area to real-life situations. They will write a short story to go along with the area problem, then record themselves "acting" it out, and finally add clip art images to illustrate their story. They will then turn all of this into a podcast using Photo Story 3, which can be uploaded to the Internet.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12)
Title: Comparing Classification Systems
Description: In this lesson, students will be introduced to the Library of Congress Classification System. They will then compare this system to the Dewey Decimal System.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12)
Title: Library of Congress Classification System
Description: In this lesson students will be introduced to the Library of Congress Classification System. They will compare and contrast it to the Dewey Decimal System. Students will determine where information on different topics would be located using each system.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Comparing Dewey and the Library of Congress: In What "Class" Are Your "Classes"?
Description: High school students will learn the distinction between the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) and the Library of Congress Classification (LCC). After a PowerPoint presentation of the LCC, the students will compare and contrast the two systems and assign call numbers to various subjects, including their class schedule and a group of books.
Subject: English Language Arts (10 - 11), Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Locating With The LCC
Description: The parts of the LCC call numbers are taught in this lesson using colored index cards to represent the four parts. Students will be able to recognize what each part of the call number stands for.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12)
Title: Library of Congress Solitaire
Description: After viewing a tutorial of the Outline and Call Numbers of the LC Classification system, students will create posters using a picture or graphic to identify the 21 general subject areas. Students then visit a college library online to gather titles of books from their subject area. They will create "playing cards" of their books using index cards. The index cards would include their book title, author, and call number. After each group has completed this task, they will play a game placing the correct "playing card" onto it's corresponding subject area poster--note they would only be allowed to place their card on the poster if thier call number was after the card already on the poster--just like in Solitaire.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Equilibrium Constants, Reactant and Product Concentrations, and Related Calculations.
Description: This lesson is meant to give an introduction of equilibrium constant expressions to the students. They are given balanced chemical equations and then asked to write the equilibrium constant expressions for them. The students will be given feedback in case of error and the feedback will include the correct answers.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Biographical Poetry
Description: Students will work with a partner to write an original poem using information learned about a person involved in the American Revolution. The students will then share the poems by creating a multimedia slide show.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Information Literacy (K - 12), Social Studies (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: "What do we do? Natural Disasters in the United States"
Description: During the course of this lesson, the students will research various forms of natural disasters that occur in the United States and what someone should do in the event of that disaster. The teacher and library media specialist will collaborate during the planning, instruction, and research phases of this lesson. The students will take the information they collected and place it on a PowerPoint presentation to be presented to the class. This information should include several pictures that will be located on the Internet. The Library Media Specialist will guide the students through the process of obtaining permission for the use of various images.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12)
Title: It’s A Wonderful Life—The Roaring Twenties, Stock Market Crash, The Great Depression
Description: The students will use the Internet to research the Roaring Twenties, The Stock Market Crash, and The Great Depression. They will also watch the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” to see how people lived through these three dramatic eras. They will then create a PowerPoint presentation that reflects their knowledge of this dramatic time in United States history. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: Understanding Relevant Laws in the Workforce
Description: After students read and take notes from lecture on human relations, students will compare and contrast labor laws before the 19th Century to the present. Students will key comparison of laws in MLA report format. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Creating a Business Letter Using Mail Merge
Description: In this lesson, students will learn to use the mail merge feature of their word processing software. They will utilize the Internet for research, compose a business letter, and key the letter using mail merge. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: Your Schedule on the Web. Writing your first web page in basic HTML.
Description: Students will be shown an overview of the language of the web. Students will be shown the most popular HTML tags that are commonly used. They will then work with the teacher to create their first HTML page. This is an Commerce and Information Technology Lesson Plan.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Cybersafety
Description: This lesson is designed to increase student awareness of the concept that there are dangers associated with Internet usage. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan. This lesson was adapted from iSafe.org and personalized for my school setting.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Create an Event Collage that illustrates a special event at your school.
Description: Creating composite pictures Students learn how to use a graphics program such as Photoshop Elements to composite many pictures into an Event Collage. This is a Commerce and Information Technology Lesson Plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), English Language Arts (10)
Title: Career Choices
Description: Students use information from personal assessments regarding work skills, personal values, and personal interests to conduct research about a suggested career. Students will then create a brochure reflecting research. These brochures will be shared with the Albertville High School counselors office. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Can I Afford This House?
Description: In this lesson, students will prepare a spreadsheet that provides information about purchasing a house. Using functions and formulas, they will determine if they can afford the house. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: "Advertising Design Principles Project"
Description: Students will analyze a magazine advertisement and answer basic desktop publishing questions about this particular advertisement. Students will present their advertisement and analysis to the class. Before designing projects of their own this project allows students to become familiar with the basic desktop publishing design concepts. This is a Commerce and Information Technology Lesson Plan.
Subject: Marketing, Sales, and Service (9 - 12)
Title: International Business Cultures and Marketing Strategy
Description: This lesson has students research business practices in different countries and create a PowerPoint Presentation that they will share with the class. Students will prepare support materials to accompany their presentations. This is a Commerce and Information Technology Lesson Plan.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: What's The Real Cost of That Car?
Description: This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan. A project requiring research, critical thinking and complex decision-making about factoring all the costs of purchasing a large ticket item... a car.
Subject: Information Technology (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Which Internet Service is Right for Me?
Description: Students will investigate different options for Internet access including options and pricing and make decisions about which Internet service is best for a given scenario. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12)
Title: Exploring Financial Management Careers.
Description: This lesson explores careers in Financial Management and Investment Planning. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Information Technology (9 - 12)
Title: How am I Connected to the Internet?
Description: Students will create a network topology map of a computer lab and show data flow using Microsoft PowerPoint or comparable software, . This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Which Style Will You Choose?
Description: Students will create a brochure on management leadership styles and determine which style(s) of leadership they feel they would use if they become managers. Students will demonstrate efficient Internet searching skills to collect information for brochure. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: What is Multimedia?
Description: This lesson will define multimedia and how it is used in education, business and the community. Students will research and evaluate various software used in creating multimedia projects and develop a tri-fold brochure to display their findings. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Famous Entrepreneurs
Description: This lesson will require students to utilize the Internet to identify characteristics and traits of successful entrepreneurs. They will create a presentation and present it to the class. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: How Much is My Inventory Worth?
Description: In this lesson, students will estimate costs of inventory and cost-of-goods sold using inventory valuation methods. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Social Studies (12)
Title: Introduction to Financial Markets This lesson plan is adapted from The Basics of Saving and Investing - Investor Education 2020
Description: High school students of today are the investors of tomorrow. Students must understand, however, that they do not have to be rich to start investing! Certainly, financial markets will play a major role in the life of today's high school student. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9)
Title: Is A Legal Career Right For You?
Description: This is a 3-part project; however, you may opt to omit 1 part. Students will investigate a career related to the legal profession to determine the various aspects of the career. In addition, students will create a PowerPoint presentation to share with the class and construct a written report to allow for personal reflection. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9)
Title: Scams: What's Your Ethical Viewpoint?
Description: Students will identify how investment scams work, go inside an investment scam pitch, and create an ethical dilemma.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Show Me The Money - Saving and Investing
Description: Students will learn how to analyze several savings products from various financial institutions. They will also demonstrate the ability to discuss the role of saving and investment products. This a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Regulation of Financial Markets
Description: This lesson will aid in understanding the basics of state, federal, and industry oversight and help students know the extent and limits of consumer protection by these entities. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: "Weather Phenomenon Web Site"
Description: Students will create a complete web site about a natural phenomenon weather occurrence that causes destruction, death, and injury. These students will create these Weather Websites that will have a design focus aimed at elementary aged children. Students will demonstrate and apply skills they learned in a unit about a web site generators. This is a Commerce and Information Processing lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: We All Scream for Ice Cream! A Marketing Plan.
Description: This lesson is a an activity that allows students to analyze the Four P's of the marketing mix and determine the target market for three ice cram brands.
This lesson is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Retire in Style!
Description: This lesson will explore several investment options and the risks involved with each. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Information Technology (9 - 12)
Title: Disaster Recovery for Dummies
Description: The students use hardware and software to recover information from a server. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12), Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Retirement: Show Me The Money!
Description: Students will have the opportunity to discover how investing wisely can yield a wealthy retirement. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: One If By Land, Two If By Sea. . ., or Three If By Air.
Description: This lesson will compare the pros and cons of each type of shipping option available to businesses. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Can I afford to go to college?
Description: This lesson is designed to help students determine the cost of a college education. They will be comparing the cost between two schools and identifying financial resources available to reduce or defer the cost. Once they complete their research, they will illustrate their findings in a spreadsheet and create a chart comparing the data. This lesson plan is adapted from Financial Literacy 2010 project at Personal Finance for the Economics Classroom: A Teaching Guide for Economic Instructors This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: Charge It?
Description: In this lesson, students will select appropriate and inappropriate uses of credit cards by role-playing a college student who must choose to either use cash or a credit card to pay for a variety of real-life scenarios. This lesson plan is adapted from “The Credit Safari” lesson plan at The Consumer Jungle. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: What are you wearing?
Description: Students will use a digital camera to take pictures that will be used to create a multimedia project that illustrates the appropriate and inappropriate dress code for a high school.
Subject: Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: HTML Personal Web Site
Description: Students will create a personal Web site consisting of a home page and three additional pages. A variety of images will be used including images from digital cameras, scanners, and the Internet. The Web site must also include a theme, bulleted and numbered lists, tables, a marquee, and JavaScript. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Insurance to Protect My Home
Description: This lesson will compare types of dwelling insurance such as condo, renter, and homeowners. The types of insurance will be defined, and the items covered will be identified. Also, within the homeowners category, the levels of coverage will be explored. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: English Language Arts (12), Business, Management, and Administration (9 - 12)
Title: "Getting the Job" - Proficiency in Composition
Description: This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan. Advanced word processing skills are a must for students entering the workforce or pursuing higher education, this lesson will help students achieve proficiency in creating effective employment correspondence. Students must demonstrate proficiency by creating a solicited letter, personal resume, and follow-up letter based on a specific job ad.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Right Car Insurance
Description: This lesson is designed to have students investigate insurance products for vehicles. As part of the lesson they will compare quotes as part of the parents' policy and as their own policy. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Marketing, Sales, and Service (9 - 12)
Title: Publicity...What is it???
Description: Hands-on activity providing each student the opportunity to identify and describe the nature of public relations efforts and of the target audience(s) utilizing up-to-date print media. This is a Commerce and Information Technology Lesson Plan.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Importance of setting goals
Description: This lesson has students set goals for themselves and determine if they are short-term, intermediate or long-term goals. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12)
Title: Ethics and Social Responsibility In Business
Description: Students will conduct on-line research of 5 major corporate websites in order to write a code of ethics for a fictitious company they will create. The students will then describe how these ethical guidelines relate to any or all of the four (4) components of social responsibility. Students will look at 2-3 companies that have practiced unethical behavior. The students will make a multi-media presentation to the class describing any relationship between their company’s code of ethics and the four components of social responsibility.
Subject: Information Technology (9 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: Network Devices in Action
Description: The students will use custom animations in presentation software to show the flow of data through a LAN. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Liquidity for Success
Description: This lesson will input values to calculate financial ratios and intepret the information derived from the calculations. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Marketing, Sales, and Service (9 - 12), Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: Advertising: Can You Put It All Together?
Description: Students will create a one-item, full color magazine advertisement for a product. This is a Commerce and Information Technology Lesson Plan.
Subject: Finance (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Insure My Life?
Description: In this lesson, life insurance options will be explored. Students will conduct online research to compare life insurance policies from 5 different companies. This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Explore the Transformations of Linear and Absolute Value Functions Using Graphing Utilities.
Description: This inquiry lessons allows students to explore the rigid and nonrigid transformations of linear and absolute value functions using a graphing utility. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation..
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Creating a Life Form
Description: In this particular lesson, the students will create an unknown life form and planet. The creation of the life forms will begin at the chemical level and be explained throughout the levels of organization to the level of organism. The life form has to represent the basic characteristics of life such as reproduction, growth and development, response to stimuli, etc.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Gymnosperms, Cone Bearing Vascular Plants
Description: Students will research printed encyclopedias, Internet resources (thinkfinity.org) and their science textbook to gather information to answer questions and draw an assigned portion of the Life Cycle of the Gymnosperms. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Investigating Parabolas in Standard Form
Description: Students explore the coefficients of a quadratic function using a graphing calculator. This is an inquiry lesson to be used as an introduction to translations and dilations of functions.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Science (6)
Title: Let’s Get Physical! (or Chemical Weathering)
Description: This lesson helps students learn the differences between physical and chemical weathering. Students will complete various activities in which they identify and describe the type of weathering that is taking place.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12)
Title: My Peanut Butter is Better Than Yours!
Description: The students will engage in the process of statistical data comparing data using tables and scatterplots. The students will compare data using measures of center (mean and median) and measures of spread (range). This lesson can be done with the worksheet or adapted to let the students use a graphing calculator to create their own scatter plot from the data table. This lesson is modified and adapted from Samples and Populations, Connected Math, Prentice Hall- Publisher.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Arts Education (7 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (7)
Title: Enlarge my "Ride" (Scale & Proportion)
Description: Students will take the measurements of model cars. The students will use these measurements and scale factors to set up proportions and find the actual size of the the vehicle. As a final activity, students will use sidewalk chalk to sketch the vehicle in the parking lot. Alternate indoor activity provided under Modifications Section.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Pennies, Pennies and More Pennies
Description: Students will work in cooperative groups to determine the number of pennies to line the baseboard, cover the floor and fill the room. Students will determine the geometric probability that the head of pin will land on the penny and not the floor space between pennies.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: pHun with Acids and Bases!!! (a pH lesson)
Description: In this lesson, the students will learn the characteristics of acids and bases including the associated pH values. The students will conduct a hands-on activity that shows color indicators for different pH values.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (1 - 2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1 - 3), Mathematics (2)
Title: Time to Tell Time
Description: Students will learn how to tell time to the minute using an analog clock manipulative and an Internet based program.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Arts Education (7 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (5 - 12)
Title: Just the facts! Exploring Order of Operations and Properties of Real Numbers
Description: Students use their imagination while learning the importance of 'Order of Operations' and 'Properties of Real Numbers'. This lesson incorporates class discussions, wiki and/or online discussion threads (free at www.wikispace.com and/or quicktopic.com), art and puzzles.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Bubble Gum Chemistry
Description: Students will learn to calculate the percentage composition of various compounds. As an extension they will then devise a similar method to calculate the percentage of sugar in various types of bubble gum.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Exploring the Halogens - Group 17 Elements
Description: In this lesson students will review the location of the halogens on the Periodic Table. In addition students will use a lab investigation to explore the chemical and physical properties of the elements in this group. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Men and Women of Space Exploration
Description: As part of the study of Space, the students will choose an astronaut to do research on and write a report. A list of possible astronauts will be provided including many females who a have traveled to space and work on the International Space Station. The students will use a variety of resources including books, reference materials, and the Internet to find the required information. This will be done mostly outside of class; however one or two days will be set aside to take the students to the computer lab and to the library to get information.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: Interpreting and Displaying Sets of Data
Description: The students will be able to take a set of given data and interpret the data into quartiles. Students should then be able to determine the parameters for a box and whisker plot by identifying outliers, interquartile range, and the five number summary. Students will determine the best method for displaying data whether it be line plot, scatterplot, box and whisker plot, etc.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Edible Cell
Description: As part of the study on Life Processes, the students will watch a video clip at Cells Alive to see a model of the cell and its componenets. The students will use edible products to create an animal cell. Each product will represent a component of the cell. This will be done whole group.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: I Will Survive
Description: As part of the study of animals and their adaptations, the students will explore different adaptations animals have and how they use them (either as prey or predator). The students will also identify camouflage (blending in with the surroundings), mimicry (looking like something else), and behaviors (hibernating). The students will use the internet to find animals that use the various types of adaptation. This will be done in cooperative groups, preferably in a computer lab.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: The Moon
Description: In this interactive activity, students will review details about the moon through children's literature. Students will also be responsible for collecting data about the moon and its phases. Finally, the students will produce original podcasts to display their data.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (K), Social Studies (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: CELEBRATE!
Description: Students will be introduced to the different federal holidays celebrated throughout the year and will be asked to place pictorial representation of these holidays using a time line.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5)
Title: Lining up the Decimals
Description: This lesson provides a chance for the students to order decimals from least to greatest and greatest to least. The numbers are based on student's ability.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Real-World Linear Programming
Description: The students will solve application linear programming problems and present them to the class. Students are encouraged to write their own linear programming problem for the class.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (7)
Title: What Are the Chances?
Description: Students will use technology to investigate probability from basic terms to the theoretical probability of events.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Periodic Table of Poetic Elements
Description: Each student will create a poem about an element on the periodic table. The poems will be placed in the appropriate "square" to create a large periodic table wall hanging. This project will require the collaborative work of several classes to create a complete periodic table.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Systems of Linear Inequalities Project
Description: The systems of linear inequalities project was designed to be used in an Algebra IB class after a preliminary lesson on systems of linear inequalities. The project is to be graded per group based on the work completed and presentation to the class. Each group is required to use a graphing calculator in its presentation.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (7 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (7)
Title: Find that Height!
Description: The students are to find the height of several objects around the school. They will set up proportions in order to find the height of tall objects not easily measured. Students will use a digital camera to record the objects they are measuring.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K)
Title: Is Your Order Up or Down?
Description: The students will be afforded opportunities to actively explore ordering numbers (from least to greatest and greatest to least). The students will engage in a whole group and cooperative learning group setting to explore ordering whole numbers. Students will also explore interactive web activities in an effort to enhance their understanding of ordering whole numbers.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 12)
Title: BOX-AND-WHISKER--With a Bed Sheet
Description: The class will make a list of all of their classmates heights, ages in months, and shoe sizes. They will then use this data to create a human box-and-whisker plot. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3)
Title: POPPIN' FOR POPCORN!
Description: Students will be using different flavors of popcorn to conduct surveys in class to create graphs. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Life Cycle of Ferns, A Seedless Vascular Plant
Description: Students will listen, watch, and read while the teacher goes over the life cycle of the ferns. Students will then use the textbook or Internet websites to draw, label, decorate, or color the life cycle of ferns. Students will also use various resources to answer questions about ferns. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9 - 10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Body Symmetry of Animals
Description: Students will watch a slideshow about the body symmetry of animals. Included is a short quiz of animals and images. The students will determine the symmetry of each animal. Students then design their own animals. They should design one with each type of symmetry.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8)
Title: Rational or Irrational? That is the question.
Description: Students will participate in an activity that will help them obtain a feeling of how numbers are related to each other. They will determine whether a number is rational or irrational. Students will also be able to order rational and irrational numbers on a number line.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Chemistry is Colorful!!!
Description: In this lesson, students are introduced to the 5 major types of chemical reactions. Each reaction type will be analyzed and specific examples will be noted. Students will then perform a lab investigation which includes each of the different reaction types.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (2 - 3)
Title: Are You Full of Hot Air?
Description: This lesson will give students hands on experience collecting data, measuring circumference and recording data on a bar graph. Students will see how bar graphs can be applied to almost any activity where students are making a comparison. Students will recognize how easy it is to quickly analyze the comparison when data is placed on a bar graph.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (8)
Title: Using a Graphing Calculator to Determine Transformation(s)
Description: Students will use graphing calculators(TI-83 Plus) to find transformations of polygons.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (9 - 10), Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Environmental Issues Scrapbook and Podcast
Description: Over the duration of a semester students will collect newspaper and magazine articles related to environmental issues. Students will compose a scrapbook of articles. Students will choose two topics to record and share with the class.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (4), English Language Arts (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3)
Title: Tulip Graphing
Description: Students will create an on-going graph using units of measurement correctly. This graph will represent the growth of a tulip (or other type of flower).This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (K - 3), Mathematics (K - 3), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Pattern and Practice
Description: Students use knowledge and skills in new learning experiences to develop a basic understanding of the process for creating patterns, recognizing pattern sequences, representing patterns in different ways, and connecting numbers with patterns. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (6)
Title: "Weathering" Heights
Description: This lesson introduces students to weathering. Students will watch videos and complete drawings and diagrams as they learn about weathering, erosion, and deposition. Students will complete a simple demonstration and relate it to how the processes occur in nature.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), English Language Arts (11)
Title: Distinguishing Between Monocots and Dicots
Description: Students will: Learn how monocots and dicots are different. Learn how to recognize a dicot seed and a monocot seed. Learn to recognize a dicot leaf and a monocot leaf. Learn to recognize a dicot root system and a monocot root system.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Symmetry: Theory, Reality and Art!
Description: Students will explore symmetry as defined in geometry, as seen in their community and through the art of Escher-Escher Art Website. Technology and art are incorporated in this lesson. The incorporation of art is an important element in developing the ‘whole child’ if a school system has been forced to eliminate a formal arts program. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Arts Education (7 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: The Name Game (incorporates measures of central tendency and probability).
Description: This Investigation is adapted from the Connected Math Unit "Data About Us". This investigation develops some introductory statistical and probability techniques. Students collect and organize data about the numbers of letters in their names. This open-ended problem will help you to assess the techniques your students have developed to organize, summarize and display data.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12), Science (6), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: 'There's Gold in Them There Hills'
Description: Students study the important characteristics of quadratic relationships by exploring the area of rectangles with a fixed perimeter. This lesson involves tables, graphing and patters. This Lesson is adapted from a Connected Math Unit: Frogs, Fleas, and Painted Cubes.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Science (7), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (7)
Title: Can You Curl Your Tongue?
Description: This lesson is adapted from a Connected Mathematics Unit, How Likely is It? This investigation introduces biology as a source of applications for probability. In this lesson, Curling your Tongue, students determine how many students in the class can curl their tongues and use this data to make predictions about the probability of any one student being able to curl his or her tongue. Then they "Tracing Traits-the experimental method is compared with the way in which geneticists study a person’s traits: by examining the genetic makeup of the person’s parents, grandparents, and other relatives. Students then gain experience with determining whether people have the tongue-curling trait based on the genetic probabilities. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6)
Title: Representing Possibilities
Description: The students will work through problems that will be represented in tables, equations, and graphs. This lesson was adapted from NCTM Student Math Notes, May/June 2007.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Hurricanes
Description: This lesson starts out with a short video clip of Hurricane Ivan and shows the pattern it followed. Emphasis is placed on the fact that Hurricane Ivan struck and the eye traveled over Alabama. Discussion of hurricane facts follow. Students are given hurricane safety rules and procedures.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (8), Arts Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Description: Students will learn basic information on a specific element found on the Periodic Table. Students will produce a reference book appropriate for a third or fourth grade child on the topic of the element the student is assigned. The book will include all of the basic information about the element while making the elements appeal to a young audience.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12), Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Forensic Sketch Artist
Description: Police sketch artists must combine art and technology to render a likeness of a crime suspect. Students will participate in a virtual lab to determine spatial characteristics of the human face. Students will use this information to prepare eye-witness drawings.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 8), Mathematics (5 - 7), Mathematics (4 - 6)
Title: Miss Integer finds her properties in order.
Description: A lesson on: Order of Operations, Integers, Numerical Sentences, and Absolute Value.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Number Clues
Description: This lesson allows students to observe and participate in problem solving activites involving mystery numbers, clues, and characteristics of numbers.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (4), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4)
Title: Investigating Friction
Description: Students will experience friction in action. Students will work actively in small groups to promote socialization and teamwork. Students will experience different types of matter and materials to explore the impact of friction.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (4)
Title: How Old is Your Money?
Description: Students will use coins in order to create a line plot and interpret data. Students will work in groups and create a presentation of the data.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: "Like Terms", I Add Them
Description: Students will review the definition of 'like terms' and combining like terms. They will then learn to apply this to adding polynomials. Students will have an opportunity to work practice problems as they are viewing a PowerPoint presentation of the lesson. They will be adding polynomials using both the horizontal method and the vertical method. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (2)
Title: Coins to Bills!
Description: In this lesson, the students will determine monetary value in the sets of coins and bills. It is used as an instructional plan to help students determine coin and bill values up to $2.00.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Get it Straight Mr. Decimal!
Description: Students will review addition and subtraction of decimals with a hands-on, cooperative small group experience. They will be placed in small groups and solve problems on individual white boards. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (1)
Title: What’s the Matter: A Sinker or Floater?
Description: Students will to explore matter that sinks or floats when submerged in water and that matter is categorized as either a sinker or a floater. Students will work actively in small, cooperative learning groups as well as gather in a whole group setting with the teacher. Students will be afforded opportunities to experience different types of matter and materials to explore whether objects sink or float. Moreover, students will understand that an object’s ability to sink or float is a physical property of that object.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!
Description: This lesson provides students practical situations using money. It also allows them to practice the skills of adding and subtracting decimals.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (2), English Language Arts (2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: Understanding Fractions
Description: In this lesson the children will demonstrate parts of a whole using a candy bar (or fruit), and piece of paper. The activities are used as instructional plans to help students better understand shapes and parts of a shape up to a whole. It is an activity that would precede the lesson/unit taught on two-three dimensional shapes. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (2), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (1)
Title: What Is An Inch?
Description: This activity gives the students the opportunity to see what an inch really looks like. It also provides them with a chance to be creative using various inch materials and to create a visual for what an inch is. It is a great lesson to integrate reading and art. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: Partying With Two/Three Digit Whole Numbers
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to apply the operations of addition to solve problems using multiple strategies. The students will communicate their math knowledge during the process by showing examples and discussing their work. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (1 - 4), Science (1), Mathematics (2)
Title: Jelly Beans Add Up
Description: The lesson will explore counting, sorting, and graphing skills. The lesson provides students an exciting and fun way of exploring and internalizing graphing, sorting, and counting skills. Realistically, the students will discover what color jelly bean is contained more often than any other color in a standard bag of jelly beans. Moreover, students will be investigating probability. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (7)
Title: Battle to the Death: Adding Integers
Description: The goal of this lesson is for students to use manipulatives to add integers, creating concepts rather than memorizing rules. This lesson will be related to the 300 Spartans who battled the invading Persians at the Battle of Thermopylae, inspiring the hit movie "300" and Stephen Pressfield’s historical fiction, The Gates of Fire. Interdisciplinary connections will be made to literature, theater, and history, discussing why Pressfield called this the most important battle in establishing and securing democracy in western civilization. This lesson is a base for many subsequent lessons including subtracting integers, combining like terms when simplifying algebraic expressions, and solving algebraic equations.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Polygons - Changing Area versus Changing Perimeter
Description: Students will investigate what happens to the perimeter of a polygon when the area stays the same. Students will investigate what happens to the area when the perimeter stays the same.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (5 - 7), Mathematics (7)
Title: Probability with Tree Diagrams
Description: Following an Illuminations lesson on tree diagrams and probability, students work independently using a PowerPoint tutorial. The PowerPoint tutorial attachment provides review and practice problems.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (2 - 4), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: My Time!
Description: This lesson provides the students with practice in telling time, record keeping, and elapsed time.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6)
Title: Variables and Algebraic Expressions
Description: Students will be actively teaching and learning vocabulary associated with algebraic expressions. They will identify each part of an algebraic expression. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: Fun with Problem Solving
Description: The object of this lesson is to teach students that problem solving can be interesting and fun. It is important to pay attention to what is asked and information that is in the problem.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (6)
Title: Thirsty for Ratios
Description: In this lesson the students will learn what a ratio is and how it can be used in comparison. In this lesson, students will also determine how to combine a sports drink in powder form and water to make enough for a whole football team. Students will be encouraged to use different strategies such as ratios and proportions. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7)
Title: Bear Factory Proability
Description: Students will explore theoretical and experimental probability of an event.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (7 - 8)
Title: Build a City on Geometry
Description: The students will be split into small, cooperative groups and build a city following specific guidelines. The students will learn how a city is constructed with angles, intersections, parallel, intersecting, and transversal streets. They will understand that buildings are located at particular points which are considered alternate interior or exterior angles, corresponding angles, etc. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Percents
Description: This lesson explores the making of comparisons by using percents. In this lesson you will compare your class's favorite foods using percents. Students will use cooperative groups to answer follow up questions about the lesson.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Arts Education (3), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3)
Title: Polygon Perimeters
Description: This hands-on sidewalk chalk activity gives students practice finding the perimeter of polygons, while teaching them how to describe geometric figures using mathematical terms. It’s a fun way to bring out their creativity and strengthen visual thinking!This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (3 - 7), Technology Education (3 - 8)
Title: Science is a Wonderland
Description: This is an inquiry lesson to teach students critical thinking skills. The student will learn through discovery what inquiry skills are and how they are used. They will learn how scientists use these skills in the scientific method to do investigations.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (7)
Title: Probability
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to begin the process of helping students to learn the basic principles of probability. The students will also collect data, interpret data, and determine the fairness of the game rock, paper, scissors.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (5 - 8)
Title: I'm So Crushed
Description: In this activity, students will have an opportunity to solve a mystery. They will discover why a soda can collapses during a demonstration due to the effects of changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure. Students will gain further insight in the process of scientific inquiry as they suggest questions that need to be answered in order to solve the mystery at hand.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Estimation Station
Description: During this lesson students will learn the difference between estimation and guessing. Knowing how to estimate is an essential skill that will help students determine approximate totals as well as check the reasonableness of their answer to a problem. After listening to the book Betcha by Stuart J. Murphy, the students will be given opportunities to practice the strategies that are presented. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Ice Cream Sundae Survey
Description: Students quickly realize the importance of learning how to read and find information in charts, graphs, and tables compared to finding the same information written in a paragraph. This is a fun, high energy lesson!This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), Social Studies (5), Arts Education (5)
Title: Explorers Come to America (Activboard and related software suggested)
Description: This lesson gives a brief overview of the fact that America had to be discovered.
It also provides an introduction to each of the explorers who are given credit for exploring the American continent between 1492 and 1542.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Information Literacy (K - 12), Social Studies (4)
Title: Alabama's Five Capitals and First Governors
Description: Students will research the five sites of Alabama's capital and the first governors of the state. They will create a presentation including the physical location of each site and the political and geographic reasons the site was chosen and abandoned, if applicable. The presentation will also include information about the (or a) governor that served while the capital was at the specific location they are researching.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8)
Title: Geometry City
Description: In this lesson, students will review coordinate plane concepts, practice map skills, review shapes, transform geometric figures, and calculate the area and perimeter of figures.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Polygons All Around Us! (This lesson is geared to a standard high school geometry class.)
Description: This is a hands-on lesson that introduces students to polygons and their properties. It also promotes visual learning by having students identify how polygons are used in the world around us. Students will be given the opportunity to see the importance of geometry in the construction of almost everything in our world. Students will be able to state properties of different geometric figures. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Science (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Earth has Many Layers
Description: This is a hands-on lesson that will help students explore what geologists do to study the different layers of the Earth. Students will work in cooperative groups to complete this activity. Students will also keep a Science Journal telling about their findings. This lesson will follow the Learning Cycle.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (3), Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (2)
Title: How Clouds Form
Description: Cloud formation results when warm, humid air rises and cools, causing the water vapor in the air to condense and form clouds. In this lesson, students will conduct an activity that demonstrates how this occurs.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Science (2), Social Studies (2), Character Education (K - 12), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Five Senses- How They Relate to Our World
Description: This lesson will demonstrate and incorporate the use of the five senses. Through hands-on and exploratory experiences, students will gain an understanding of the importance of the five senses. Students will also gain an awareness of the limitations for those who do not have use of all of their senses. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (2 - 3), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Plants, Soil, and Nutrients
Description: In this hands-on activity, students will conduct an experiment that will help them understand the functions of plants. Furthermore, the students will use the scientific method to assist them in their explorations.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (2)
Title: The Water Cycle
Description: This is an introductory lesson on the water cycle. The internet will be used to help teach the cycle. The student will end the lesson by making his/her own water cycle for observation.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (K - 3), Mathematics (K - 1), Mathematics (1 - 3)
Title: Calendar Communication
Description: The students will learn calendar skills by using a calendar log on a daily basis. Children will be responsible for filling in their calendars daily. This activity will also lead to great communication between home and school.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (2), Mathematics (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Simple Machines
Description: This lesson will teach students about simple machines. Students will have an opportunity to explore and identify simple machines used in their everyday lives. Students will enjoy learning as they play a game on the Internet about simple machines. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Solar System
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the planets and sun in the solar system. Students will work together to research assigned planets and create an advertisement poster to promote their planet as a great vacation get away. Students will learn the order of the planets, the size of the planets, and some characteristics of each planet.This lesson incorporates technology, reading, writing, and art. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 7), Mathematics (5 - 7), Mathematics (4 - 7)
Title: Comparing Fuel Economy (adapted from CMP "Comparing and Scaling" Investigation 4.1)
Description: In this lesson students will explore rates. They will use the concept of rates to compute and compare fuel economy.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 7), Mathematics (5 - 8), Mathematics (5 - 7)
Title: Creating a Reflection
Description: In this lesson, the students will create geometric reflections. This is a hands on activity where the student will be able to conceptualize how geometric shapes are reflected across the x and y axis of a coordinate graph. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: The State Capital of Stem and Leaf
Description: This lesson is a hands-on, technology based math lesson. Students will create a stem-and-leaf plot and scatter plot both manually and using Microsoft Excel. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Fortune Properties
Description: This lesson will teach students how to recognize and apply Identity and Equality Properties. Students will explore the use of properties in real life situations by hands-on experience. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (8), Arts Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Inventions Using Simple Machines Project
Description: Students will have completed a unit on the six simple machines (lever, inclined plane, pulley, wedge, screw, and wheel and axle) before beginning this project. Students will choose to investigate an invention composed of one or more simple machines that has already been invented, or they will choose to build a device composed of one or more simple machines. The invention must be safe to operate and it should be one that can be demonstrated at school. It should be one that students use themselves in everyday life. It should not be complicated.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (8), Arts Education (6 - 8)
Title: Building a Paper Airplane using Bernoulli's Principle
Description: This is a culmination activity used after students have studied Bernoulli's Principle as part of a unit on forces and fluids. Students will use the Internet, textbooks, library resources and their cooperative learning group to design three paper airplanes using a sheet of 8 1/2 inch X 11 inch recycled copy paper and four inches of tape. The cooperative group whose plane had the longest flight in the air will get the most points.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (4), Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (4)
Title: Effects of Friction on a Moving Block
Description: Students will move a 2 X 4 inch block with a hook attached across different surface areas. Students will discover how the friction created by these surface areas affect the movement of the block. Students will begin the activity by predicting which surface will produce the most and least friction. Five different surfaces will be tested (smooth table or desk top, wax paper, paper towel, course sandpaper and fine sandpaper).This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8)
Title: Incline Plane and the Crashing Marble
Description: Students will measure the effects of the height of an inclined plane on the force a marble produces to move a plastic, foam, or paper cup across a table. Students will discover that the higher the incline plane, the more force produced by the marble, which moves the cup a greater distance. Students will also learn how to graph data and discover the appropriate graph to use for comparison.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (7 - 8)
Title: Transverse Waves
Description: Students will classify waves as mechanical or electromagnetic. Students will describe longitudinal and transverse waves. Students will show a transverse wave using a slinky.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (7)
Title: What is Cloning?
Description: This is an interactive website that answers the question on "What is Cloning?" There are multiple links for interactive learning about cloning. There are also video links about nuclear transfer.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Force and Motion
Description: In this lesson, the students will work across the curriculum using technology, business education, and mathematics. They will form a company and use the physics of force and motion to build a hovercraft. The students will use this experience to apply to 'real life' business situations.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 8), Social Studies (8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Arts Education (6 - 8)
Title: The Early Americas Civilizations PowerPoint
Description: This lesson is for cooperative learning groups. This lesson will take place in the classroom and the computer lab. Students will create PowerPoints on the early Americas civilizations of the Hohokam, Anasazi, Mississipians, Inuit, Iroquis, Pueblo, Navajo, Hopi, Olmec, Toltec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca. Students will compare these early Americas civilizations. Students will explain the government, culture and society of each of the above groups. Students will also create a codex on themselves using information learned from the Mayan codices.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Calendar Fun Operations
Description: This activity is designed to help students evaluate numerical expressions by using order of operations. The students will be provided a calendar for the current month of the year. Students will then be provided with a worksheet that contains 30 expressions and a different symbol for each expression. The students will manually calculate each expression using order of operations. Once the numerical value has been discovered for each expression, the symbol next to the expression will be drawn on the calendar for that date. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (8 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Physical and Chemical Changes, A Demonstration
Description: Students will compare and contrast physical and chemical changes. They will view a website describing the components of cosmetics. Students will aid the teacher in preparing a dessert made with physical and chemical changes. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (5 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Determining pH
Description: This lesson provides both hands-on and technology-based activities to reinforce measurement of pH. The characteristics of acids and bases are reviewed. Students evaluate pH through the use of indicators in the lab. An enhancement opportunity is provided by using an interactive website. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Social Studies (11)
Title: From the Trenches WWI
Description: Students will experience what life was like for many soldiers during World War I by studying Trench Warfare. They will gain this understanding through pictures, first person audio accounts, and reading poetry from the war. Students will then put themselves in the shoes of the soldiers by writing a letter home to a loved one or a Dear Diary entry.
Subject: Physical Education (7 - 12)
Title: Volleyball Fundamentals
Description: The topic and focus of this lesson will be teaching basic and fundamental volleyball skills. The instructor will provide demonstration of skills for students. The students will then be given time to practice the skill under teacher supervision.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3)
Title: Straight Line Motion
Description: This is an introductory lesson on straight line motion and the forces that affect motion. Some of the terms introduced in this lesson are force, gravity, and speed. The activities in this lesson will help students begin to understand that gravity, mass, and friction have an effect on speed and motion. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (K - 3)
Title: "No More Money Trouble"
Description: This lesson will allow students to identify and count money. They will enjoy playing with coins that look like real money. This lesson is guaranteed to motivate students through the use of hands-on and cooperative group activities. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: Protein Synthesis Drama
Description: In this lesson the student will illustrate the creation and copying of the molecular structure of DNA and RNA. They will accomplish this by creating a comic strip and/or storyboard that graphically describes transcription and translation. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), Arts Education (3)
Title: The Causes of Pollution
Description: In this lesson, the students will identify the types of pollution found in communities by viewing a video. After discussing the types of pollution, the students will discuss ways pollution can be controlled. Students will also explain why it is important to keep communities free of pollution by creating a poster.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Systems on a Mission
Description: Students will solve systems of equations using 4 different methods. These methods include substitution, elimination by multiplication, elimination by addition or subtraction and graphing. Students will gain knowledge on how to use one method to solve a system of equations and another method to check their solution. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Solving Literal Equations
Description: This lesson contains a PowerPoint presentation about solving literal equations. There is an opportunity for the students to complete an interactive worksheet on the computer. There is also a worksheet provided for them to take home for extra practice if needed.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12)
Title: Graphing Stations
Description: This activity will be used to review all the forms of linear equations and to review graphing linear, their parallels and their perpendiculars. All the forms of linear equations will be reviewed for testing purposes. Students will participate in a round robin activity to help students master objectives before unit test.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12)
Title: Multiplying Polynomials
Description: Students will be introduced to multiplication of polynomials by looking at an area example. They will have an opportunity to use an interactive website to manipulate an area problem. (optional activity) A PowerPoint presentation will be used to demonstrate that the multiplication of polynomials is an extension of the distributive property. A worksheet is provided for skill practice. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Genetic Disorders Research
Description: Students will first discover types of mutations and then research different types of genetic disorders that result from mutations and chromosomal malfunctions. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: Writing equations for parallel lines
Description: Students will complete a cooperative group assignment to discover that parallel lines have the same slope. They will view a PowerPoint presentation illustrating how to write an equation of a line parallel to a given line through a given point. Additional practice will be provided by means of a worksheet.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (7)
Title: Making Compound Probability Simple
Description: Students will determine the probability of a compound event. Students will draw on their knowledge of simple probability to find the probability of more complex outcomes. Students will create a poster, PowerPoint, booklet, or foldable to display the process of calculating a compound probability.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12)
Title: FAR OUT!
Description: This lesson focuses on the use of the Hubble Space Telescope for the purpose of researching other planets, stars, etc.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: ABC's Of Banking
Description: This lesson is a practical hands-on approach to banking services. The students will be able to integrate banking knowledge with practical personal applications. Students will investigate factors that influence banking services. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (3)
Title: What's Your Classification?
Description: After completing this activity, the students will understand that scientists group animals into categories. Students will understand that scientists use specific characteristics to group animals. They will also extend their knowledge of the different animal groups by successfully grouping a variety of animals. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (4 - 12)
Title: It's Around There Somewhere! Perimeter, and Circumference
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to review the concepts of perimeter, and circumference.Students will also use their knowledge to apply perimeter, and circumference formulas within practical applications such as in spatial design.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: We Can Dig It!
Description: In this lesson, third grade students will explore "fossils" by using chocolate chip cookies in an interactive fossil dig! Through creative problem-based learning that incorporates technology, students will work in collaborative groups to create a podcast about paleontology. After completing this group project, the students will be able to relate to paleontologists while understanding the significance of paleontology on the local environment.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (5 - 7)
Title: Integers Are Rising and Falling Everywhere! Adding and Subtracting Integers
Description: Students will expand from the idea of not only identifying signed numbers but to use them for numerical operations.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (7 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 8)
Title: Let's Make A Pie
Description: The students will survey their classmates and construct circle graphs to display their results. Students will produce circle graphs using a compass and protractor, and then with an interactive computer program.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Science (4), Character Education (K - 12), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (4)
Title: KEEP IT MOVIN'!
Description: This experiment will provide students with an opportunity to see first-hand the effects of friction on moving objects. This hands-on/minds-on activity will engage all learning styles and provide the opportunity to relate to real-world situations.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 6), Mathematics (5 - 6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Finding Prime
Description: Students will work in groups to discover the meaning of prime. Tiles will be used to build rectangular arrays for a given number. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: All About Plants
Description: Students will take notes on plants and as a review they will create a multimedia presentation on topics learned including information about their favorite flower. For the duration of the lesson students will also solve and create help wanted ads based on plant organs. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (4 - 6)
Title: The Mean, Median, and Mode Chain Gang
Description: Cooperative learning groups and chain links are used to find the mean, median, and mode. A Science NetLinks lesson is linked for further real-life application in the world of baseball (optional). This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Decimal War
Description: Students will use base 10 manipulatives to build models of decimal numbers. Students will compare decimal numbers.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (3 - 7), Mathematics (6)
Title: The Path to Positive
Description: Using the story Less than Zero by Stuart Murphy, students relate money matters to positive and negative numbers as a real-life correlation. Incorporated into this lesson, students play the path to positive game where they are required to add integers.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: Tangram Fractions
Description: The teacher will engage the class by reading Grandfather Tang. Students will solve a tangram puzzle. Students will find the fractional value for each piece of the tangram. Students will create a picture using the pieces of the tangram. Students will find the fractional value of their partner's tangram picture. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5)
Title: Area Model of Multiplication Using Base 10 Manipulatives
Description: Students will use base 10 manipulatives to build a rectangular array to represent double digit multiplication. Students will make the connection between the standard algorithm and the rectangular array.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (2)
Title: Expanded, Standard and Written Forms
Description: Students will bring in street address numbers from houses near where they live and sort these numbers using a Venn Diagram. Students will use dice to generate numbers to write in different forms. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Mathematics (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Something's Fishy: A Lesson in Biological Sampling
Description: Determining the population in a larger area by tagging. By using proper scientific method and careful sampling procedures, students learn how biologists work in the field to collect data about a population. Students will also calculate their percent error.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12)
Title: Anatomical Terms in Zoology
Description: This lesson will allow students to learn anatomical terminology using a website. The students will then prepare picture definitions of the terms. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: "The Lorax"- An Environmental Issue
Description: Students watch "The Lorax" as an introduction to environmental issues. Students need not have prior knowledge of terms. This lesson follows the learning cycle. Students design a plan to make the Truffula trees sustainable and economically viable.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Rockin' Rock Cycle: Metamorphic Rocks
Description: The rock cycle consists of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. This lesson will focus on metamorphic rocks and how they form.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (2 - 3), English Language Arts (2), Social Studies (2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Seeds: How They Grow
Description: The students will be collecting, germinating and planting seeds to show the process of plant growth. The students will be recording the information in their science journal. In addition, the students will be observing the water cycle as the plants grow in the cups.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), Health Education (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Pollution in the Air and the Water Pollution Solution
Description: Students will conduct an experiment to see if there is more pollution in the air outside or inside the classroom. The effects and causes of pollution will be discussed. Students will also test different methods of purifying water and learn the health hazards of non-purified water. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: What's Shaking?
Description: This lesson is a mini-unit on earthquakes. Students will watch videos, complete drawings and diagrams, and work in collaborative groups as they investigate such things as faults and the causes and effects of earthquakes. Students will also learn about seismic waves and how earthquakes are measured.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Showing the Difference Between Erosion and Weathering
Description: In the lesson the students will be learning about weathering and erosion. They will see examples of weathering and erosion and the difference between the two. They will be performing experiments that show weathering and erosion. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (3 - 4), Science (3)
Title: The Rockin' Rock Cycle-Igneous Rocks
Description: In this lesson, students will be given a brief overview of the rock cycle. Students will then focus on igneous rocks and how they are formed. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: How Light Travels
Description: In this lesson, the students will be experimenting to show how light shines in a straight line. They will also be experimenting to see how light reflects using mirrors. The students will be working in cooperative learning groups to carry out these experiments. Technology will be used to introduce and extend the activity.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), Social Studies (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Making and Observing Life in a Terrarium
Description: In this lesson, the students will learn what a terrarium is, the layers of a terrarium, and the function of these layers. They will see how these components work together to create an ecosystem. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Washed Away
Description: In this lesson, students will learn about water erosion. They will view pictures and videos, complete drawings, and work in collaborative groups as they research types of water erosion (rill, gully, sheet, and channel). Students will also connect water erosion to deposition.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (6), English Language Arts (6)
Title: Just Breezy
Description: In this lesson, students will learn about sea breezes and land breezes. They will complete demonstrations and work in groups as they investigate how air is affected by the surfaces below it.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12), English Language Arts (11), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: JUMP!!! An Exploration into Parametric Equations
Description: Students will use vectors and parametric equations to determine the velocity that they should jump out of the window of a burning building in order to land safely into the rescue net. They will work in small groups and utilize graphing calculators. This interdisciplinary lesson includes the subjects of Physics and math.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (2), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: "Triple Addition Shuffle"
Description: Student will engage in a card game that will enhance their thinking while adding more than two numbers.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Connecting With Coordinates
Description: This lesson will allow students to practice plotting points on a grid. Students will have an opportunity to play a coordinate game. This lesson is hands-on and allows for cooperative learning.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (1 - 2), Arts Education (2), English Language Arts (1 - 2), Mathematics (1 - 3), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: "Triangles and Things"
Description: The Greedy Triangle, a Marilyn Burns book, will assist students in determining the simple relationships among polygons. With a wish, the Greedy Triangle is transformed into various polygons. With the addition of a side and an angle, students will be able to determine the difference among triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, and hexagon. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: "Calendar"
Description: Teachers will enjoy teaching this innovative calendar lesson which incorporates technology through the use of a PowerPoint presentation. Students will be actively engaged as well as entertained. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (5 - 12), Mathematics (5 - 12)
Title: Take a Hike! An exploration into finding slopes of inclines
Description: Students will work in small groups to analyze a topographical map of the Fiery Gizzard hiking trail on the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee. They will use the map key to determine distance traveled and elevation gained to determine the slope of a short portion of the trail with a steep incline. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Ocean Floor
Description: Students will learn about parts of the ocean including the beach, ocean ridge, continental shelf, and trenches. Also, students will research the Internet for information on the ocean floor and animals of the ocean. Students will recreate the ocean floor using their own creativity. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), English Language Arts (12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Swim the Open Sea: Analyzing Dual Vectors
Description: Students will explore the accomplishment and societal repercussions of Gertrude Ederle being the first woman to swim the English Channel. They will also model vectors representing the currents she had to face to accomplish these goals.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: I'm Lovin' It: Finding Areas Between Curves
Description: Students will best fit equations to a curve to find the area of a logo or image. Images will include McDonalds, Nike, and the Motorolla logo.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Flow of Red Blood Cells
Description: Students will research the flow of red blood cells through the body. The student will prepare a presentation (oral or written) based on RAFT (role, audience, format, theme). Students will use technology to do research for accuracy of information and English Language Arts for presentation.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Organelle Matching Game
Description: The student must first have an understanding of the cell, the cellular organelles, and their functions. Afterwards, they will create an organelle matching game using index cards. This will be a reinforcement activity to complete a unit on cells. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Arts Education (7 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Ecology Collage
Description: Students will use magazines and other pictures to create a food web collage topics (teacher should assign food web topics). Students should be divided into groups. Each group should research and prepare a Power Point presentation about their assigned food web topic. This activity would be a good follow up for an ecology unit. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Actions at Plate Boundaries
Description: This lesson will allow the students to understand the cause and effects of plates interactions. The students will learn that plate boundaries function as a release for much of the Earth's potential energy. The students will be able to identify topographic features located in geographic areas close to plate boundaries.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Tragedy of the Commons
Description: Tragedy of the Commons is the mind set: "If I don't use the resources then someone else will." This is a simulation that allows students to explore how the common usage of a potentially renewable resource can lead to its exploitation. Students will complete an activity, a data sheet, an analysis of the data, and a comparison of this problem to a local environmental issue. Students will pose solutions to this problem.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (8 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Ultraviolet Radiation
Description: An interactive PowerPoint will be used to introduce the electromagnetic spectrum. Students use UV beads to observe changes caused by the sun's rays and evaluate sunscreen effectiveness. Harmful effects of UV exposure will be described along with preventative measures.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Tornadoes
Description: Students answer KWL questions on tornadoes before watching two short videos of a tornado, its formation, and its damage. Using a tornado simulation experiment, students discuss tornado facts. Students read and evaluate a list of safety rules and procedures to produce a poster of the effects of a tornado. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Angiosperms - Plants With Flowers
Description: By using a hands-on activity,the students will learn about the Life Cycle of the Angiosperms. Students will learn about the female and male parts of a flower. This would be a great activity to follow a unit on reproduction in flowering plants. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (5), Mathematics (5), English Language Arts (5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5)
Title: The Greedy Triangle - Intro to Geometric shapes
Description: Students will learn how to identify different polygons.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (6)
Title: The Water Cycle
Description: This is a hands applied lesson plan to help students experience the water cycle on a smaller scale. Because of the hands-on nature of the lesson, it works well to help students with a language barrier understand complicated vocabulary.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Is it a Triangle?
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to help students investigate the relationships of the lengths of the sides of a triangle in order to discover the three triangle inequality theorems. Students will learn how to draw valid conclusions from the information obtained from the activity and apply those conclusions to real world geometry problems. This serves as an introduction into more advanced geometric theorems. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12)
Title: Cell Division- A WebQuest
Description: In this lesson, students will learn about cell division via the Internet. Students will learn about the stages of mitosis and meiosis. In addition, students will learn about the cell cycle.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (5 - 7), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: What I DIDN'T know...
Description: This unit is designed to assist students in identifying areas of mathematical weakness then requires them to create a wiki page teaching that topic. Activities include evaluating Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10) scores to determine weak areas, collecting and organizing data, and creating a multimedia project to assist in teaching the topic. Multimedia can be, but is not limited to, movies, slide shows, interactive games, or podcasts. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), English Language Arts (7), Arts Education (7 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Rock Steady
Description: Students use the knowledge of the rock cycle to write a story about a pet rock. The story must include the rock changing from magma, to each type of rock igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. The story should end with the pet rock being identified and in the hands of the student.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 7), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5 - 7), Mathematics (3 - 7)
Title: Dog Gone Again!
Description: In this lesson, the students' dogs have escaped once again from the backyard because there is not a fence to contain the dog when it goes out to use the bathroom. The student is to design a rectangular fence that will keep the dog from escaping the yard again. Students will find the perimeter and area of their fence. The students' products will be a Microsoft Word drawing.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (2), Mathematics (2), English Language Arts (2), Social Studies (2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: The Horizons of Soil in My Backyard
Description: Students will work in small groups to dig holes 1 meter deep. Students will work with measurements as they dig and measure. Students will observe the different types of soil and how the soil changes as they dig. Students will write and draw in their journals about the soil horizons. The need for soil as an important natural resource will be discussed. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (6 - 8), English Language Arts (7), Science (7), Mathematics (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6)
Title: You Are What You Eat
Description: Girls and boys explore the connections between a well-balanced diet and a healthy body. Students keep a food diary, then compare their diet to the recommended daily allowance of food servings. Students use Thinkfinity websites to examine and explore food labels and the nutrients in various foods. They examine their own diet and come up with a healthy eating plan that they can live with using the MyPryamid.gov website. Students will then research diseases in our society related to diet and nutrition and present their findings to the class in a presentation form of their choice. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (7), English Language Arts (7)
Title: Shrinking Cell
Description: Students explore the form and function of cell organelles by using the interactive CELLS Alive website. Students create their own cell models by drawing them, writing an essay to compare and contrast plant and animal cells, then making a hands-on project model. 7th grade students make models of both the plant and animal cells using permanent markers and #6, square, clear, plastic, nacho tray, and #6, round, clear, plastic, salad trays, or lids. The CELLS Alive website is used for reviewing the organelles of the cell. After punching holes for hanging the models, the teacher shrinks the plastic cells in a toaster oven. The student models are displayed in the classroom.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: We Are Family (Analyze Families of Functions)
Description: Students will be able to analyze and categorize families of functions. This should be a staggered lesson. Once a family of functions is introduced, the graphs can be explored using this lesson. Parent functions for this lesson include square root, absolute value, exponential, and logarithmic.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (8)
Title: We Love to Graph!
Description: The students will review plotting points on a Coordinate Plane through an interactive website. They will also practice changing the slope and y-intercept on the website in order to see the effects. After this review, the students will work in groups to plot points and use slope to spell out letters of the alphabet. The students will then unscramble the letters to spell out "We Love to Graph!"This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Discovering Earth's History
Description: This lesson introduces the basic principles that are used to interpret geologic time. It associates the relationships between the rock record and historical events that created the landforms on our planet. It explains how the rock record can be interpreted by geologists.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 6), Mathematics (4 - 6), Mathematics (4 - 5)
Title: Clock Fractions
Description: Students find fractions that represent the rotation of one hand around a clock face. They learn what equivalent fractions are and how to find them. This leads to an understanding of simplifying fractions once students start to add fractions together. Finally, students will use these fractions to add them together to find the total movement around the clock.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Biomes
Description: In this lesson, students research 12 terrestrial and aquatic biomes. A blank biomes chart and website address is provided for the research. For each biome, students should find types of plants, types of animals, and climate. In addition to completing the biomes chart, students are assigned 20 questions pertaining to the biomes. They should find the answers while browsing the website. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8)
Title: Volume: Moving Dirt
Description: This technology enriched lesson is designed to assist students in understanding how to calculate complex volume and how those concepts translate to use in the real world. Learning styles addressed include visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project, funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Muddy Water!!
Description: This is an introductory lesson which will help students realize how people use water and impact water pollution. The students will first observe a clean (or sterile) environment. They will be lead to discover the impact water pollution plays upon our Earth.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Are We Finished With It Yet?
Description: This is an introductory lesson on sustaining natural resources. By examining simple objects, students will become aware of the need to recycle, reuse, and conserve. They will explore ways to sustain natural resources.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (K - 1), Mathematics (K - 1), Mathematics (K - 1), Mathematics (1)
Title: Telling Time to the Hour
Description: This lesson helps children make a connection between the digital and analog clock. In general, the number system is based on units of ten which can sometimes make it difficult for children to realize that time is based on cycles of 60.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 4), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (2 - 3)
Title: Place Value Review
Description: During this lesson the teacher will introduce a fast paced game in which students will review place value and addition. Students will also exercise critical thinking skills when determining the likelihood of outcomes.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (1 - 2), Mathematics (1 - 2), Character Education (K - 12), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Are You a Square or a Rectangle?
Description: During a hands-on, inquiry approach lesson, students will discover the difference between standard and non-standard units of measure. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (2 - 3), Mathematics (2 - 4), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (2 - 4), Mathematics (K - 4)
Title: Twisted Tangrams
Description: In this lesson students will use a hands-on approach to problem solving. They will construct and manipulate tangrams to recreate animals from a story. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: I know what you did last summer: A data graphing project.
Description: This 'first day of class' lesson is designed to assist the teacher in establishing a 'community of learners' where both girls and boys learn to communicate mathematically. The lesson culminates with students presenting a graphical representation of their summer activities (or winter break) via a poster presentation.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Lines of Best Fit
Description: This lesson includes a teacher lead activity on gathering data and lines of best fit. Vocabulary is stressed (positive, negative or non-existing correlations). In groups, students will demonstrate knowledge through podcasting and/or demonstrations. Options are available for schools with varying degrees of technology. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: Investigating School Safety and Slope
Description: Using a 'news report' approach, students investigate the slope of various stairways on the school campus and report on wheelchair accessibility and adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act. (PowerPoint Included) An extension of this lesson includes the critique/design of existing/nonexistent ramps.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Color this Polynomial Simplified
Description: This lesson helps students of all levels visualize the process of polynomial simplification and replicate it with ease. Three alternate forms of assessment are given to accomodate any school's level of technology (Podcasting. Powerpoints or Poster Presentations). This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: It’s a Party! Solving Multi-step Equations
Description: Often students are confused about ‘where to start’ when solving a multi-step equation. In this lesson the equation is labeled as a ‘party’. The 'host' is labeled (x) with remaining operations being labeled according to their relationship to the host (friends, family, acquaintances, etc...). Technology assignments are used as one method to assess student understanding.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Arts Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Arts Education (7 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Graphing at all levels: It’s a beautiful thing!
Description: This lesson addresses the societal issue of the arts being eliminated in many public schools be employing graphs (at any level) as an artistic media. Review of all types of graphs is included through various interactive websites.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Circles of Life
Description: This is an inquiry based cooperative learning unit that can be used in biology as a graduation exam review or in botany for a nine week project. The students will learn the life cycle of mosses, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms. The teacher can choose to do the cycles together or separate.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Designing a Rube Goldberg Machine
Description: In this lesson, students will apply their knowledge of complex and simple machines to designing a Rube Goldberg Machine. Students will calculate the mechanical advantage of 3 of the simple machines in their design. Students should also relate Newton's 3 Laws of Motion to their machine.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (6), English Language Arts (6), Arts Education (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: If Earth No Longer Existed. . .
Description: Students will work in cooperative groups to research characteristics of each of the planets in our solar system.
Students will design a travel brochure outlining the characteristics of each planet.
Each group will make an oral presentation on their brochure.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: The Composition of Seawater
Description: This lesson develops student understanding of ocean water as a true solution. It demonstrates the differences of salinity and "salt" water. This lesson prepares the student to be able to apply the concepts of temperature, density, and layering of the oceans before conducting a lab dealing with these variables.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Igneous Rocks
Description: This lesson will define an igneous rock. It will associate terms that classify igenous rocks. It will apply mineral size to location of the rock. It will develop connections to the rock cycle from the aspect of igenous rocks. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Metamorphic Rocks
Description: This lesson will develop the student's ability to identify the different types of Metamorphic rock. It will associate the processes that create varying forms of metamorphic rocks. It will differentiate the types through texture and form.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Sedimentary Rocks
Description: This lesson will define a sedimentary rock. It will associate terms that classify sedimentary rocks. It will apply grain size, composition to environments of deposition of the rock. It will develop connections to the rock cycle from the aspect of sedimentary rocks. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Continental Drift
Description: This lesson incorporates collaborative groups. It will introduce the basic principles that lead to the theory of Plate Tectonics. It should allow them to recognize our world as a "living" planet" that is constantly changing. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Birth of Rock(s) - Identifying Rock Types
Description: This lesson will allow the student to explore the characteristics of rocks. Through exploration the student will be able to identity the three kinds of rocks and examples of each. They will also learn how rocks are used in our society.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Organism PowerPoints/ Booklets
Description: This lesson requires students to use technology to research information on any organism from one of the six kingdoms. Students use the information to produce a PowerPoint presentation or booklet to present to their classmates. This project covers several biology and zoology objectives and is intended to be a review of the material previously covered.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: To Herb or Not to Herb
Description: This unit allows students to research some common herbal supplements to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the herb. Students will compare the herbal supplements to pharmaceutical medicines to judge which is the better choice. Students will make a PowerPoint presentation to advertise herbal supplements and their common uses. The students will make an informative web site that allows others access to their discoveries. The students will learn the process of scientific problem-solving using the appropriate tools and technology. Students will critique the advertisement of herbal drugs and the impact they are having on society. They will present their findings to the class with a brochure or newsletter.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Arts Education (1), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Botany Scavenger Hunt Where's the Ginkgo?
Description: Students use a science nature journal to log in plants native to Alabama. They sketch pictures of leaves, identify the special characteristics of the plant, and describe the environment where it was found. They also research special characteristics and classifiy the plant. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Endangered Species
Description: Students research and create a brochure project on an endangered species of their choice integrating aspects of math, science, social studies, art, reading and writing. This project allows the students to make connections across the curriculum. Students present their ideas to a group of peers persuading the group to help save or become interested in helping the endangered species. Students are also encouraged to make connections between the activities of the human population and their effect on the natural world. This project may be completed using the media center computers, computer lab, or individual computers as a homework project. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Blast Off!!
Description: Working in cooperative learning groups, students research early astronauts, both men and women. They research various rocket and space shuttle designs. With this information, they use Newton's laws to plan, design, and create a paper rocket. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Description: In this WebQuest, sudents will be working in cooperative learning groups to research bacteria, viruses, and the immune system via the Internet. Students will be taking notes and answering questions to show the teacher for approval. Students will solve for a specific disease from their research.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: "Woody Sine"
Description: The students will discover the shape of the sine function without creating a t-chart. The students will create a sine function using toothpicks. The students will then discover how the amplitude (height) and the period (number of compete waves) change when the basic graph created from the broken tooth picks was changed. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: Quadrilaterals
Description: This is an inquiry lesson used to review Algebra 1 objectives by applying them to geometry concepts. Students explore the properties of quadrilaterals and classify them by definition. This lesson can be use in geometry classes. Students in geometry classes can apply theorems and definitions of quadrilaterals rather than as an inquiry lesson.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Coordinate Geometry
Description: Students will participate in several activities that will build their knowledge of coordinates graphing. Students will use ordered pairs to locate points on a grid. Students will also relate coordinate graphing to the real world through finding locations on a city map.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12)
Title: Human slope
Description: Students will participate in this discovery activity intended for them to uncover the role each variable plays in the graph of a line in the form y = mx + b. Students will actually demonstrate lines in slope intercept form on a life size graph. They will compare different graphs to see what effect adding negative signs and coefficients to the variables have on the graph. They will also analysis what happens to the graph when a constant is added or subtracted from the variable.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Ellipse
Description: This lesson is designed for an Algebra II through Pre-Calculus classes and introduces the conic section- an ellipse. In this lesson students explore an ellipse, the set of points in a plane such that the sum of the distances from each point to two fixed points is constant. The students will investigate the construction of an ellipse and be able to recognize its major axis, semi-major axis and focal points and to be able to compute its eccentricity. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Toilet Paper Strength
Description: This investigation creates a scientific problem for students to solve. Students will use the scientific method to determine which brand of toilet paper is strongest. The lesson familiarizes students with the strategies of the scientific method. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9 - 11)
Title: Graphing Gallery Walk
Description: In this lesson, students will participate in a gallery walk to realize the vast amount of information found in a graph. Students will make notes of the graphs as they rotate through the gallery. At the conclusion, students will create a story from an assigned graph.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Technology for Displaying Trigonometric Graph Behavior: Sine and Cosine
Description: After interacting with a list of specified websites, students will explain the effects of various coefficients on the graphs of sine and cosine by describing these effects on a lab activity worksheet with an accuracy of 80%.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: Systems of Equations: What Method Do You Prefer?
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to help students apply math concepts of solving systems of equations to real life situations. The students will use the three methods of graphing, substitution, and elimination to solve the system of equations.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Arts Education (7 - 12), Science (9 - 12)
Title: Inside the Cell
Description: This lesson is intended to familiarize students with different categories of cells. Emphasis will be placed on the comparison and contrast of plant and animals cells and the structures within them.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: DNA Technology Project
Description: Students will research current uses for DNA technology. Students identify a variety of ways that DNA technology can be used. Finally, the students create a DNA Technology project using technology. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Who am I? Find A Polynomial From Its Roots
Description: Students analyze the roots and end behavior of a polynomials and write the equation of a polynomial under given conditions. Students apply theorems concerning the multiplicity of roots, conjugates of irrational or complex imaginary roots to find a polynomial under given conditions. Students will factor polynomials to find the complex roots. Students graph polynomials and determine the local extrema. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (2 - 6), Arts Education (5), Mathematics (2 - 6), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: "Polly"gon Pockets
Description: In this lesson, students will explore the attributes of various polygons. Students will need to be in 12 cooperative groups (one for each shape being explored). They will complete a jigsaw puzzle to discover their shape and then list the attributes they notice about it. They will create a foldable that shows each polygon, describes its attributes, and lists items in our world that use that shape. Then, the students will create a collage using either magazines and 9x12 construction paper or the Internet and Microsoft Word to create a collage of items in our world that use polygon shapes. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Minerals
Description: The students will gain information on the 5 characteristics of minerals. The information can be related to nonrenewable resources. This lesson should facilitate discussion on the difference in precious gems and semi-precious gems.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: "Factoring by Mack"
Description: This strategy for factoring trinomials will eliminate the trial-and-error method used in most textbooks.The lesson will be a direct teaching lesson. With the teacher lecturing and the students taking notes and then having the students break up into groups to solve sample problems.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Science (8), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (8)
Title: Probability- What Are The Odds?
Description: This lesson introduces the student to the concept of probability. Students will explore the meaning of theoretical and experimental probability by viewing interactive websites. A lab activity will be performed using cooperative learning groups to allow the students to determine experimental and theoretical probability.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Exponential Growth and Decay
Description: This lesson on exponential growth and decay involves a variety of teaching resources. There are a variety of websites used to teach and reinforce how to identify exponential growth or decay and how to solve problems relating to growth and decay. There is a lab provided that will help model these concepts being taught and computer based practice on these concepts. Videos are provided that give a picture image of how exponential growth and decay works. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Oh, Deer!
Description: Oh, Deer helps students to understand food, water, and shelter as three essential components of an organism's habitat. It is intended to show how food, water, and shelter are limiting factors that affect the population growth of other organisms. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (8 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Comparing Solvents
Description: Students will investigate the effects of solvents in cleaning by designing and carrying out an experiment utilizing the steps of the scientific method. A video is used as an introduction to the concept of solvents. Hazardous effects of solvents are also discussed.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 7), English Language Arts (5 - 6), Mathematics (3 - 7), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: I Scream for Ice Cream!
Description: In this lesson, students will figure out how many different combinations of ice cream flavors and cones they can make. Students will work cooperatively to make the different combinations. They will use various materials to actually make the combinations. The students will also need to include in writing how their group came up with these combinations, and if they noticed any kind of short cut to help them out.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Light Reflection and Absorption
Description: Students will examine various objects to determine if they reflect or absorb light. Students will first work with the teacher and look at various objects. Students will have the opportunity to test several items about the classroom. Then, students will create a PowerPoint slideshow using what they have learned.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Arts Education (1), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 1)
Title: Musical Patterns
Description: Students will become familiar with the concept of patterning by using musical instruments to repeat and create patterns of sounds.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Arts Education (5), Mathematics (5 - 6), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5 - 6), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Angles in the Mix
Description: In this lesson, students will observe art paintings for angles - straight, right, obtuse, and acute. Using digital cameras, students will find "art" in their environment, which displays those same types of angles. They will use their photos to create a Photo Story describing the angles in their environmental art and share it with the class. Lastly, students will choose one of their photos to paint and label the angles found in their art.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Are Your Numbers Round?
Description: Students will use a variety of activities and games to learn how to round numbers.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Volcanoes
Description: In this lesson, students will learn about the three main types of volcanoes. Students will watch videos, complete drawings and diagrams, and work in collaborative groups as they investigate cinder cone, composite, and shield volcanoes. Students will also review the positive and negative effects of volcanoes.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Which Rock is Which?
Description: In this lesson, the students will learn the characteristics of the different types of rocks. They will learn how to identify the rocks and explain the rock cycle.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (4), Mathematics (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: Inner and Outer Planets
Description: As part of the space unit, students will learn about the physical and chemical components of the planets. The students will compare the planets in list form. It will also incorporate math by using measurement and numerical order.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (1), English Language Arts (1), Science (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (2)
Title: Tiger Math Graphing
Description: Students will listen and respond to the book Tiger Math: Learning to Graph from a Baby Tiger. Students will also create a pictograph based on the data collected from the book.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5), Science (2 - 5)
Title: Light Is
Description: The students will explore the properties of light in order to understand optics. Students will do two activities that will aid with their mastery of this concept.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Systems of Our Human Body...A Study Through PowerPoint
Description: This is a student-led exploration of the systems of the human body, through technology. Students will work cooperatively to develop a PowerPoint presentation that will thoroughly explain each system. Systems included are: circulatory system, respiratory system, excretory system, and reproductive system. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Science (8 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Density
Description: Density is the ratio of mass to volume. Density will be introduced to students by a demonstration of coke verses diet coke. The teacher will then solve density problems for the students on the board. The class will then complete a lab on the density of plastics. After lab the students will compare results. Each group will present a Powerpoint presentation of their results.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (7 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Trapezoids: What's Equal or Right About Them?
Description: This lesson will examine the properties of two trapezoids - isosceles and right. The lesson will then use the properties to solve deeper analytical problems.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (2), Science (2), Social Studies (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Bird Migration
Description: This lesson teaches bird migration by using the award winning Caldecott Medal honor book: Make Way for Ducklings. It accesses a website to give a history of the book and the plot. It promotes student interaction through discussion, internet information and activities to include computer games, videos, and color sheets.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (K - 2), English Language Arts (K), Social Studies (2)
Title: Coral Reefs
Description: This lesson defines what a coral reef is and how it affects society. It addresses the fact that oceans take up three-fourths of the earth's surface. This lesson also addresses how coral reefs help people and how people can help protect coral reefs.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Friction Faction
Description: The students will use different surfaces to test which will cause less friction on a ball. This will let the students determine how friction affects the distance an object in motion will go. This lesson will include cooperative grouping for the activity and whole group discussion of the results.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Farout Science
Description: In this lesson, the students will learn and describe the process of production and transfer of energy in stars. The students will learn the phases of the life cycle of both a small star and a massive star. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: What Color are the Leaves?
Description: Where do the brilliant colors of fall come from? Most leaves appear green. In the fall, leaves turn orange, yellow, and red. Most leaves aren't changing colors. The pigments are always present in the leaves. The green pigment overpowers the other colors during spring and summer. Using chromatography, students will be able to see the colors always present in a leaf, even if the only color they can see is green. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Arts Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Arts Education (7 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Properties of Minerals
Description: This lesson will motivate students to recognize the basic building blocks of our planet. They will develop skills of observation and analysis. The students will begin the process of forensics on the basis of investigation and drawing conclusions from observations.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Plate Tectonics
Description: This lesson culminates the hypothesis of Continental Drift and Sea floor Spreading into the Plate Tectonic Theory. The students will be able to recognize that our planet is ever changing. They should be able to analyze the forces which create destruction on our planet are directly related to its shifting surface.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), Science (5), English Language Arts (5), Arts Education (3 - 5)
Title: Scrapping the Biomes
Description: This is a student led exploration of the biomes through art and self-expression, in which students create a scrapbook of assigned biomes. This activity utilizes technology, research, and cooperative learning groups for completion. The biomes included in this activity are the tropical rainforest, deciduous forest, grassland, taiga, desert, tundra, freshwater (including rivers and wetlands), and saltwater (including coral reefs and deep sea). This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: What's Your Favorite Chocolate Bar?
Description: This lesson allows students to complete a school wide survey. Students will complete the survey to find out which candy bar, between Snickers, Butterfinger, Twix, Hershey Bar, Crunch, and Other, is the favorite among students and faculty. Students will create different kinds of graphs (horizontal bar graph, vertical bar graph, and tally chart) using Microsoft Excel to show their results.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (1), English Language Arts (1), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (1)
Title: "3 in a Row" Calendar Game
Description: This is a fun lesson to use while teaching students how to read a calendar. The students will learn how to find information on a calendar then participate in a “3 in a Row” game in order to review.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Cosmic Measurements
Description: In this lesson, students will use hands on inquiry in cooperative learning groups to understand, develop and analyze common measurements used by astronomers. Students will use common objects such as straws, twizzlers, or toothpicks to measure the distance from a fixed object or central location to other objects. The students will then use this information to develop a unit of measurement like the astronomical unit. The students will measure the speed of an object such as a remote control car and use this to develop a unit similar to the lightyear. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Radiation / Half-Life
Description: The students will evaluate their personal radiation dose. They will develop an understanding of the term radiation and how it relates to everyday life. The will simulate how radioactive material decays and apply the term half-life. Students will use a computer program to see that the half-life for different substances never changes. The students will evaluate nuclear power as a source of energy.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: As Large As Life. . . A Poster of a Human Body System
Description: This is a student led exploration of the systems of the human body through art and self expression. Groups will cooperatively develop a poster, the size of a fifth grade student, and will accurately depict the assigned system of the human body. The included systems are the circulatory system, respiratory system, and excretory system.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (1), English Language Arts (1), Science (1), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: Mr. Crocodile's Busy Day
Description: Students will listen to the book What Time is it Mr. Crocodile? by Judy Sierra. The students will read and use Mr. Crocodile’s schedule to answer questions as well as read analog and digital clocks to the hour.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Writing Word Equations
Description: The students will learn to write word and formula equations. We will watch a web video about chemical equations. We will then complete the science in motion lab “The Color of Chemistry”. The students will also be required to write word and formula equations.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Emission Spectrum
Description: We will reintroduce the students to the electromagnetic spectrum and visible light. We will talk about the states of electrons(ground and excited). The teacher will show a video link (Electrons in Atoms). We will then preform the science in motion lab "Excited Elements."This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Physical and Chemical Changes
Description: The teacher will conduct the whoosh bottle demonstration to engage students. The class will then begin discussion of endothermic and exothermic physical and chemical changes. The students will then conduct the Science in Motion lab “Simple Distillation”. This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Diverse Life forms of the Ocean
Description: This lesson allows students to view and draw conclusions on the importance of life in the ocean. It uses student created movies to explore what is going on, as well as identifying the zones and diverse life associated with the oceans. The teacher will be able to facilitate mult-faceted questions concerning the oceans and all the interactions of life within it.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Gas laws
Description: The teacher will preform a demonstration of imploding a coke can. This will be a lead in demonstration for the gas laws. We will then discuss Boyle's law. After this discussion we will conduct the science in motion lab "Boyle's Law". Each lab group will load their graphical results into a powerpoint presentation to be viewed by the class.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Freezing Things - States of Matter
Description: The class will go back over the Power Point presentation on chemical and physical properties. The teacher will then conduct numerous liquid nitrogen demos. This lesson is used early in the Chemistry course. The students love it. This lesson can be used to spark interest in science. The students (in cooperative learning groups) will then be required to produce a concept map and short report on an assigned gas.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (4), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3)
Title: Translucent, Transparent, and Opaque Objects
Description: Students will become familiar with transparent, translucent, and opaque objects. Students predict whether items are transparent, translucent, or opaque. Finally, students will show what they have learned by producing a song, poem, cheer, rap, or comic strip.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: Ship Shape
Description: Students will create a picture of a pirate ship using plane shapes they have traced from three dimensional shapes. The students will then create a story to go along with their picture.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Those Cells Look Good Enough to Eat.
Description: This is a student led activity utilizing visualization and association to memorize the parts of animal and plant cells. Students will work cooperatively to develop drawings to connect the parts of cells to one of their favorite things…food. In addition, art, written expression, oral communication, and technology will be used for completion of this activity.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1)
Title: Mix it Up! Exploring the Commutative and Associative Properties of Addition.
Description: By now, students have learned that fact families include both addition and subtraction facts. They have also learned that by reversing the order of the addends, they can form related addition facts with the same sum. The students will revisit this concept to help them prepare for addition and subtraction with regrouping.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: To Infinity and Beyond... Magazine of Planetary Studies
Description: This is a student led activity in which students have to accomplish the task of choosing the most entertaining way to relay written expository information. Art/self expression along with technology are utilized to develop a classroom magazine while learning about the planets and associated technology. Students work in cooperative learning groups to complete this activity.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Chemistry is Colorful!!
Description: In this lesson ,students are introduced to the five major types of chemical reactions reaction type will be analyzed and examples will be noted. Students will then perform a lab investigation which includes each of the different reaction types.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (8)
Title: Determining Fairness in Games of Chance
Description: This activity reviews and incorporates the laws of probability. Students will analyze various games of chance to determine their "fairness". Students will also view a United Streaming video on gaming and do a math journaling activity to show understanding of probability and fairness in games of chance.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.
Subject: Social Studies (K - 2)
Title: Tech Tours using Google Earth-it’s easy, it’s fun…come take a trip with us!
Description: Grab your passport and head around the world as K-2 students become reporters using Google Earth and podcasting to learn and share about maps, globes, people and places around the community, state and world. Tools featured include: Tablet pc’s, iPods, digital cameras, document camera, classroom response system, and free web 2.0 tools.
Subject: Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: GPS Scavenger Hunt
Description: This lesson will provide 7th and 8th grade students the opportunity to utilize GPS Handheld Tracking Units in order to understand latitude and longitude. Students will work in groups of four to complete a scavenger hunt around the campus; they will be using the GPS units to guide them to the final destination. Students will answer questions about the points listed on the handout provided by the teacher.
Subject: English Language Arts (3 - 4), English Language Arts (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Komodo Dragon by Thane Maynard
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to familiarize students with research topics through individual assignments that utilize a variety of resources.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Declaration of Independence:
Purpose, Explanation, and Grievances of King George III
Description: In this lesson, students will be able to state the main ideas in the Declaration of Independence, and explain their significance. The students will be able to know the purpose of and explain the Declaration of Independence, as well as the grievances toward King George III.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Aunt Chip and the Triple Creek Dam Affair by Patricia Pollaco
Summarizing, Sequencing and Publishing
Description: In this lesson, students will read and summarize the book by pages. After publishing, students will use their slides as sequencing exercises. This lesson plan can be adapted for any grade level or book.
Subject: Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Discover the World of GPS and Geocaching
Description: This lesson will be a creative approach to learning latitude and longitude, and will introduce the students to new technology. Seventh grade students will be given the opportunity to utilize GPS Handheld Tracking Units to understand latitude and longitude. Students will work in groups of four to complete a geocaching activity and a scavenger hunt around campus; they will be using the GPS units to guide them to the final destination. Students will answer questions about points listed on the handout provided by the teacher. We decided to offer this activity as a collaborative effort for one grade level in order to allow all the students the opportunity to participate and work together. This decision allowed us to have four teachers to work together supervising the students. (We also utilized volunteers to assist with supervising each group of students.)
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Aunt Chip and the Triple Creek Dam Affair by Patricia Pollaco
Description: In this lesson, students will read and summarize the book by pages. After publishing, students will use their slides as sequencing exercises. This lesson plan can be adapted for any grade level or book.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), Health Education (7), Family and Consumer Sciences Education (7 - 8), Information Literacy (K - 12)
Title: Why Not?
Description: This week long unit designed for 7th grade students focuses on issues related to substance abuse. Both short and long term effects on health are examined to help students discover valid reasons Why Not to abuse drugs.
Subject: Arts Education (5), Mathematics (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (3)
Title: Congruent and Similar Figures
Description: This lesson provides a variety of hands-on activities for the students to understand the difference between congruent and similar figures. Students will use geoboards, pattern blocks, and the Internet to explore the difference. The activities can be used to reach all learning types.
Subject: English Language Arts (K - 2), English Language Arts (K - 1)
Title: Learning to Clean Tables by Using Sign Language/Picture Symbols
Description: This is a L.I.F.E Skills functional and reading lesson using sign language and picture symbols for a severe/profound class with little or no verbal expressive language skills.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (3 - 12), Technology Education (3 - 12)
Title: Los Paises Hispanos
Description: This lesson will introduce beginning Spanish students to basic reading skills needed to comprehend material in another language while also providing basic information on Spanish speaking countries.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Classy Sports (Basic Spreadsheet)
Description: Students will be introduced to basic spreadsheet design. Students will learn basic spreadsheet formatting. Students will use formulas to calculate totals.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12), Family and Consumer Sciences Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: How much if the first year of college going to cost?
Description: Students will determine the first year costs of college or junior college in the state of Alabama.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Agriscience Education (9 - 12)
Title: Building a Ramp for Handicap Accessibility - Part I
Description: In this lesson, students will apply the trigonometry involved in finding angles of elevation to a real-life problem. Groups of 4-5 students will determine a suitable angle of elevation for handicap entrance ramps, calculate dimensions for a ramp reaching a specified height, and determine the construction cost for this ramp. Presentation of results will be in the form of a webpage. The teacher will evaluate the project using a rubric, and students will evaluate one others cooperative skill using rubrics.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (7)
Title: "Introducing Pi!"
Description: The overriding purpose of the lesson is to actively engage students in learning activities that promote opportunities for students to discover the 'meaning' of pi. Activities will include research, hands-on, software applications, reading, writing, and collaborative work opportunities. The secondary purpose is to introduce and spark enthusiasm among students for our celebration of 'Pi Day'.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: I Can Determine The Height Of A Rocket!
Description: The lesson is intended to give students a fun real-world experience in applying their math skills. They will use trigonometric ratios to calculate heights of tall structures. They will also use the Internet to convert their calculations from standard to metric units and visa versa.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (6)
Title: Finding Area with a geoboard
Description: Students will use a geoboard to visualize the concept of square units, as well as measure with those units. They will also be able to visualize the formal formula to different polygons after working with this manipulative.
Subject: English Language Arts (5 - 6), English Language Arts (5 - 6), Technology Education (3 - 8)
Title: Telling It the Digital Way: Stories of Sports Spectacular Stand-outs
Description: During this lesson students design, develop, produce, and present a five-minute biographical video highlighting the life of a famous sports spectacular stand-out such as baseball's great Babe Ruth.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: PowerPoint Graph Animation
Description: This lesson provides students with the skills to work with multiple applications, copy data between applications, and animate an Excel graph in PowerPoint to increase viewer interest in the presentation.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Statistically Thinking
Description: The object of this project is for students to learn how to find univariate and bivariate statistics for sets of data. Also, the students will be able to determine if two sets of data are linearly correlated and to what degree. The students will use Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel to find, organize, and present their projects to the class.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Water Tank Creations Part I
Description: In this lesson students will study the surface area and volume of three-dimensional shapes by creating a water tank comprised of these shapes. Students will work in groups of 4-5 to research water tanks, develop scale drawings and build a scale model. Teacher will evaluate the project using a rubric and students will assess one anothers cooperative skills using a rubric.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Agriscience Education (9 - 12), Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Creating a Water Tank - Part II "Selling the Tank"
Description: Working in groups of 4-5 students will take the information,pictures and 3-D model of the water tank they assembled in Part I of Creating a Water Tank and develop a web page and a video presentation. The web page will be a tool to advertise their water tank construction company and must include hyperlinks and digital pictures. The video presentation will be a "sales pitch" to a city council. The web page and video will be scored using a rubric. The web page and video must include the surface area, volume and cost of construction.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: What is the slope of the stairs in front of the school?
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to help students apply the mathematical definition of slope to a concrete example. The students will learn to make the appropriate measurements and apply the formula to calculate the slope of the stairs experimentally.
Subject: Agriscience Education (9 - 12), Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (K - 12)
Title: Ramp for Handicap Accessibility - Part 2
Description: Working in groups of 4-5 students will use the information, pictures, diagrams, and narratives created in Part 1 to develop a brochure. The brochure will consist of guidelines for handicap accessible ramps, sample calculations and contact information. It must be suitable for distribution at city hall.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7)
Title: Cool Kool-Aid Experiment
Description: Seventh grade students have had wide-ranging experiences with fractions and operations on fractions, but ratios and rates may be new concepts for them. This activity introduces students to the idea of rates via a familiar and tangible product: Kool-Aid. Students will add varying amounts of Kool-Aid powder to a set amount of water, thereby producing a sensory experience of rates. The Kool-Aid example also provides a base experience upon which other examples can build.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Area and Perimeter of Various Polygons
Description: In this lesson students will be engaged in an interactive online practice session using area and perimeter. Students will have to use critical thinking skills in order to unlock gates and learn more about the cups in the challenge.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Classifying Complex Numbers
Description: This lesson helps students distinguish between strictly complex numbers, strictly real numbers and strictly imaginary numbers while learning that real numbers and imaginary numbers are subsets of the set of complex numbers.
Subject: English Language Arts (5 - 6), Mathematics (5 - 6), English Language Arts (5 - 6), Mathematics (4 - 6), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: "All in the Family"
Description: A cooperative unit where students work together and use a variety of math skills to establish budgets and compare and compute the best buys. Students will continue practicing their writing skills by writing thank you notes to local merchants.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Introduction to the Cartesian Coordinate Plane
Description: This lesson consists of two Powerpoint presentations that use animation (motion) to demonstrate how to obtain a 1-1 mapping between a plane and ordered pairs of Real numbers. These can be teacher presented or if you have enough PCs students can do these as independent activities.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (2), Social Studies (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Reptile Adventure
Description: During this lesson, students work with small groups and partners on reptile research. They will have the opportunity to use books and the Internet for research. They will also go on a reptile adventure searching for new information about reptiles.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Agriscience Education (9 - 12), Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: Building a Ramp for Handicap Accessibility - Part 3
Description: Groups of 4-5 students will take the information gathered in parts 1 and 2 of Building a Ramp for Handicap Accessibility and develop a "How To" video. The video will be scored using a rubric. A script with scene blocking must accompany the video. Students will also be asked to demonstrate knowledge of video editing for a test grade. The video must include calculations and construction costs.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 5), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Who Am I? Learning With Biographies
Description: Students often have difficulty differentiating between genres of books in the library media center. During this lesson, students learn to identify a biography and understand the types of information included in this genre. Students will have the opportunity to complete and present a multimedia autobiography, then research a notable person and complete a project describing that person's achievements.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 1), Arts Education (K - 1)
Title: Rhythmic Discovery - Read Simple Rhythmic Patterns
Description: This lesson will aid in learning the concept of rhythm as applied in a musical setting. It will aid each student in setting requirements later needed to read music.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 12), Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (6 - 12)
Title: Fasching
Description: A 5-8 day project that divides students into groups and allows a greater number of students to benefit from two computers in my classroom.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: Graphing for Dollars
Description: This is a collaborative effort between Leo Straughn, Riley Robinson and Barbara Lucassen. It is a lesson for cooperative learning groups of 2-3 students. This lesson will take place in the classroom if there is computer access or in a computer lab. This lesson uses a real-world scenario to teach students how to evaluate an account balance by creating a linear equation. From this equation, the students will determine the slope and y-intercept and create a graphical representation of the account balance. Students will use this graph to extrapolate information to answer probing questions.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Let’s Tessellate
Description: This lesson is a hands-on, technology-based project that will take place in the classroom and computer lab. Students will discover which regular polygons tessellate the plane by constructing polygonal tessellations. Students will also use a spreadsheet to calculate the area and perimeter of the polygons.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6)
Title: Calculating the mean, mode, median and range using spreadsheet software
Description: This lesson plan involves using spreadsheet software to aid in calculating the mean, mode, median, and range of the distance each student in the class travels from home to school each day. It also involves comparing the use of spreadsheet software for calculations versus doing calculations by hand. It will also help students better understand spreadsheet software including terminology and functions.
Subject: Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Volume
Description: Students will learn the concept of volume by determining the amount of sand that is needed to fill the long-jump pit at their school (or any rectangular- or square-shaped container). This lesson will explain the importance of knowing how to determine volume and how to use the concept in real-world situation.
Subject: Science (8)
Title: Teaching the Scientific Method
Description: Life is one project after another, no matter what career field one chooses. The responsibility of planning a project is a valuable lesson for students that applies to most career fields. This method requires students to answer a question or solve a problem, make observations and collect data, and draw a conclusion as to the answer to the question or problem.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (7 - 8)
Title: What Shape Are You?
Description: In this lesson, students will read "The Greedy Triangle" by Marilyn Burns, participate in class activities to classify two- and three-dimensional shapes, produce a powerpoint describing a chosen shape, and make a picture of themselves as one of the shapes.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (7)
Title: Similar Figure Activity
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to allow students to self-discover the relationships between similar figures. The students should then take what they learn about these relationships and apply these concepts to problem-solving.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5), Science (5)
Title: From Weeds to Worms
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to guide students in researching and discovering the importance of the interdependence of living and nonliving things in an ecosystem. Students utilize technology independently and cooperatively to establish requirements for conducting experiments.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (9)
Title: CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Description: This lesson will help students recognize basic needs and how they relate to our interactions with others. Conflicts, while normal occurrences, can negatively affect relationships. Role playing will give students an opportunity to practice more appropriate behaviors which will help students meet their needs without escalating the conflict.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Investigation of Special Segments of Triangles
Description: This lesson will enable students to investigate three special segments of triangles in a very concrete way. The students will fold paper triangles to create the segments. This lesson would be a great way for students to explore the properties of the segments and their intersections.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Science (4), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3)
Title: Meteor or Meteorite
Description: Students will learn the difference between a meteor and a meteorite. Students will perform an experiment to discover how the size and weight of an object determines the size of the impact crater.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: All I Want for Christmas (a spreadsheet investigation)
Description: Students will complete a Santa list using a Spreadsheet. Students will enter a list of items they want for Christmas, try to estimate the cost, and total their cost. They will then go on an internet shopping trip to find the actual cost of their items. They will then have an itemized list they can give to their special "santa".
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: Spreadsheets -- A New Study Tool
Description: Students will learn to use spreadsheets to enter if-then statements that can then be used for study guides for any subject area. Students will create a generic spreadsheet that gives feedback when they enter a correct response to a particular question. They must understand the questions they are entering in order to enter the correct formula to get the desired feedback.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: Using Spreadsheets to Calculate Your Grades
Description: This practical use of spreadsheets will allow students to practice entering data, and finding the sum and the mean for the set of data. It will reinforce skills the students have already learned about spreadsheets. In addition, students will be able to manipulate their data to see the effects of low scores on assignments.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12)
Title: Solving the Puzzle to the Dewey Decimal System
Description: This lesson is a hands-on approach to learning the ten main categories of the Dewey Decimal System in the school’s media center. The lesson is appropriate for fourth and fifth grade students. Students will work in pairs to find missing puzzle pieces already strategically place in books listed under the ten main categories.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7)
Title: New York with $1200
Description: CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are Demopolis Middle School’s first –place winner of the annual MATHATHON!!!!!!!!!! You and three of your classmates have been awarded an exciting trip to NEW YORK CITY! You will each be given $1200 to cover all your expenses during your three day stay. You must use only your $1200 prize to cover all expenses (transportation costs, hotel accommodations, food, gratuities (tips), souvenirs, and entertainment). Please budget your money carefully – decide which purchases are most important and budget these first. Don’t forget to have fun!!
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Baseball Rocks!
Description: Through videoconferencing, two classes battle out their knowledge of rocks and minerals and the rock cycle by playing baseball. Each class completes a unit on rocks, minerals, and the rock cycle which includes gathering facts from print and non-print resources, classroom activities, and experiments. Each class then creates PowerPoint slides with questions (and answers) to pitch to the opposing team. The teams meet on the videoconference playing field to determine which class is the champion of rocks! The virtual baseball game serves as the culminating activity of a unit on rocks.
Subject: Health Education (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Effects of Drug Abuse
Description: Students will be able to describe the dangerous consequences of drug abuse. Students will learn that illegal drugs are harmful to the drug abuser and to others.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 7), Mathematics (5 - 7), Mathematics (6)
Title: "Integers, Less Than Zero"
Description: A hands-on lesson demonstrating integers using the book, LESS THAN ZERO by Stuart J. Murphy
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8), Mathematics (7 - 8)
Title: Heads Up!
Description: The lesson is a hands-on project. Students will work in pairs to gather various measurements, organizing the data into a provided chart. The measurements will be used to review, reinforce, and introduce skills such as measures of central tendency, coordinate graphing, and various ways of representing data (i.e., stem-and-leaf plots, box-and-whisker plots, frequency tables, etc.).
Subject: Social Studies (10 - 12)
Title: Interpreting Documents on the AHSGE
Description: Students will explore the documents that were used in shaping the United States, before, during, and after its creation. While studying these documents, students will use reading skills to interpret and analyze documents. By the end of the unit, students should be able to describe, explain the historical significance of, and explain the impact of documents. Through modeling, the teacher will identify the three types of historical documents (those used in the creation of American documents, American documents created during the founding of the nation, and those created after the birth of America). In addition, students will be guided through reading and interpreting a document, as well as determining its historical significance. Students should also be able to identify a few key documents by examining a small excerpt. By creating a document brochure from library and internet research, students will be able to summarize the main ideas of the documents.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: A Day at a Theme Park (Mathematics, 6th grade, Coordinate grid)
Description: Rationale: The sixth grade curriculum and state standards require the students to understand the coordinate grid, quadrants, etc. This lesson allows the students to apply their knowledge of the coordinate grid, coordinates, and plotting points all while developing technological skills. The lesson also permits the students to create a coordinate grid and plot points on the x and y axis using a map of a theme park.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4)
Title: Pigs and Money
Description: After reading the book "Pigs Will Be Pigs" by Amy Axelrod, students will practice how to add money. They will practice how to spend money without spending more than they have in their budget.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: The Napping House
Description: During this lesson, children "wonder" when interacting with text. Instead of predicting what comes next in the story, students use their imaginations to wonder about what might happen. They create their own wondering multimedia slide about a new text. This is a great way to encourage creativity.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1)
Title: Cracker Math (Commutative Property)
Description: During this lesson students will listen to the story FISH EYES: A BOOK YOU CAN COUNT ON by Lois Ehlert and use concrete objects to explore the commutative property of addition. During this lesson students will be guided through exercises to strengthen knowledge that the order of the addends has no effect upon the sum. In mathematical terms, a+b=b+a. They will also use the internet to practice what they have learned during this lesson.
Subject: Mathematics (4), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3)
Title: Teaching Measurement through Literature and Manipulatives
Description: The tradebook, Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen, is an excellent tool in teaching measurement. Students will engage in activities involving different types of measurement. In the story, five animal friends decide to take a boat ride. As each animal climbs into the boat it sinks lower and lower in the water. The phrase, "Do you know who sank the boat?" encourages children to make predictions.
Subject: Social Studies (7), English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: World Traveler
Description: Seventh grade social studies students will create a passport and detailed daily travel journal. The project will incorporate a minimum of two types of technology as they create a narrative vividly describing a city/country. Specific details of the geography, people, their culture, government and particular points of interest will be included. Pictures will be downloaded and used to illustrate the location and or adventure.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Literary Genres:What are they and why are they important?
Description: During this lesson, students will be introduced to different literary genres. Once students become familiar with the different genres, they will decide which one they like to read best. They will also use their knowledge of genres to decide the best form to write in.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4)
Title: Hail to the Chief!
Description: The students will use prior knowledge of Presidents to complete this project. They will devise a platform based on past presidents' qualities and their impact on the nation to run against classmates in an election. Students will use this as an extension of a year long study in Alabama History and US History.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (4)
Title: Divide Using One-Digit Divisors
Description: Student will explore the meaning of division. This lesson also includes writing quotients for one-digit divisors in division. The student will gain an understanding of the relationship between multiplication and division.This lesson plan is for the divisor 2 and can be used with other divisors.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Famous Alabamians
Description: In this lesson, students will use print and non-print reference sources to examine the lives of famous Alabamians and their contributions to our society.
Subject: Social Studies (5)
Title: American Inventors
Description: Students will learn about 8 American inventors from the 1800's. They will use the internet of encyclopedia disc to research and print pictures and information about these people.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Making Tracks
Description: This lesson will allow students to explain or interpret possible scenarios from a single set of observations. Emphasis should be on supporting interpretations with concrete observations.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Hardships During the Great Depression
Description: Students will be divided into groups of 2 or more. Each group will be given a choice of jobs that were available during the 1930s. Students will learn to manage their cost of living and household expenses.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (K), Arts Education (K), Mathematics (K), Science (K), English Language Arts (K), Mathematics (K - 1), Arts Education (K), Mathematics (2)
Title: The Very Hungry Class
Description: Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is a great trade book to teach many concepts across the curriculum. This lesson has activities to excite your students in all subject areas. Students will be familiar with the metamorphsis process and will enrich skills in other curriculium areas.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Living in a "Submicro" World
Description: This is a technology-based lesson plan designed for high school Chemistry students as an introduction to the study of the fundamental nature and structure of the atom. Students will create a publication using Desktop Publishing software to support the content of this unit.
Subject: Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Congress: Requirements for Office, Members Currently Serving in the United States Congress, and Characteristics and Experiences Needed for Election to Public Office
Description: The students will research and present a computer slide-show on the requirements of office of the Senate and the House of Representatives and a special focus on the two Senators and a House member from one selected state. The students will create an election brochure in which they themselves will run for one of the above offices.
Subject: Science (6 - 8)
Title: Mars Metal Rover
Description: Students will convince NASA which metal to use on the new "Mars Land Rover". This lesson will help students understand the properties of metals and their relationship to the properties of the surface of Mars. Knowledge of Internet searches, word processing software, and slideshow presentation software are necessary for this lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (2 - 4), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2 - 4)
Title: "Antonym Bingo"
Description: The students will demonstrate knowledge of antonyms after an introduction done by the teacher. After the introduction, the students will play "antonym bingo" to reinforce the skill.
Subject: Social Studies (10 - 12), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (10 - 12), English Language Arts (10 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Constitution or Articles? the Question or the Millennium
Description: In this lesson,students will observe the political climate at the time of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and read the writings of the delegates who refused to sign the proposed Constitution,as well as, those who supported it. Taking on the role of Mason, Gerry, Randolph and others, students will work together to create a modern-day document - a press release, advertisement, bill ,or declaration on PowerPoint that summarizes their objections or support of the proposed constitution. Students will be asked to quickly communicate thier position to the majority of state legislatures and to the citizenry.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Science (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Animal Studies
Description: This was a collaborative effort between Melanie George and Connie Roan.
Students will work in collaborative groups and investigate animal characteristics, their habitats and basic needs using the Internet and library. They will then make a power point presentation of their animals to educate the rest of the class.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), Science (7)
Title: Creature Creations
Description: This is a collaborative effort between Mary Smith and Christine Olsen. It is a lesson for cooperative learning groups of 3 to 4 students. This lesson will take place in the classroom, the science laboratory, and the computer lab.
Students will learn how to differentiate between dominant and recessive traits and genotypes. They will use this knowledge to construct a model creature, identifying its traits, and specifying which traits are dominant. Students will then predict the possible outcomes of genetic crosses between “parent” creatures.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Colonial Network News: Ben Franklin Flies a Kite
Description: The students will create a news program about Benjamin Franklin and life in colonial times. The students will work in groups of complete research and prepare a video presentation. Students will utilize books and various web sites to complete their research.
Subject: Social Studies (10)
Title: Creating the 14th Colony
Description: After studying the 13 original colonies students will create their own colonies in cooperative groups. This will help students understand the difficulties the colonist had to endure in learning to work together. Students will have to name thier colony, choose a location for thier colony, write a compact, and choose essential items needed to live in the colony.
Subject: Social Studies (11), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The 1960s: A Time of Contrast, Change, and Controversy
Description: This lesson explores the 1960s and the contrasts, changes, and controversies that occurred during the period. The teacher will present an overview of the cultural and social aspects of the period. Students will choose a person, event, or area involved in the decade. Each student will research his/her topic and present the research in a brochure, flyer, newsletter, or powerpoint presentation using the appropriate technology.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: The Laws, They Are A-Changin'
Description: This unit will cover the key people, places, and events of the Civil Rights Movement. The students will create a Powerpoint presentation, a brochure, and a website so that they can use and extend their technology skills. They will also use and extend their research skills in this process.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Science (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7)
Title: Where Did You Get Those "Jeans"?
Description: This lesson can be interdisciplinary involving science, mathematics, and language arts. The primary nature of the lesson is inquiry, project, and technology-based. In science this project is a culminating activity in the heredity unit.
Subject: Social Studies (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Advertising and Its Affects on Consumer Decision Making
Description: This lesson will show the student the power of advertising to create demand for a product. After reviewing existing advertisements, the students will create their own campaign for a product. Following a presentation to the class as a whole, the students will analyze the campaign.
Subject: Social Studies (7)
Title: Where in the world am I?
Description: A collaborative distance learning project on world geography.Two classrooms will interact while solving clues about "mystery" counties.
Subject: Social Studies (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Amazing Alabama
Description: Follow along with our roving reporters as they travel Alabama from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to the shores of the Gulf Coast.
Subject: Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Exploring Asia
Description: Students (in groups of 2 or 3) will gather information on an assigned Asian country. After organizing the required information, students will develop a PowerPoint presentation to be presented to the class.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Social Studies (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Louisiana Purchase: An Offer We Couldn't Refuse
Description: This lesson explores the circumstances surrounding the United States' acquisition of the Louisiana Territory. To research these topics students will integrate a variety of print and technology resources. Students will apply the results of the research to produce a multimedia presentation supplemented by a brochure created through the application of desktop publishing software.
Subject: Social Studies (9 - 11), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: News Flash: The End of the Cold War
Description: This lesson is an inquiry into events that occurred during the Cold War era. It is a technology-based project on one event that occurred during the Cold War(1945-1991). The Cold War describes the tense and hostile relationship between the Soviet Union and the U.S. between 1945 and 1992. The communist government of the Soviet Union wanted to convert other countries to communism. The U.S. pledged to support free countries so they could resist communism. Both countries had nuclear weapons and were capable of launching a nuclear war. Other countries took sides in this international conflict. Many Western European countries sided with the U.S. to form NATO (National Atlantic Treaty Organization) in 1949. Eastern European countries signed the Warsaw Pact and formed an alliance with the Soviet Union.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12)
Title: "Reach for the Stars, Not Drugs"
Description: This door decoration provides several learning objectives for middle school students during "Red Ribbon Week." A door is covered with paper, the week's theme is written on the door, and miniature candy is attached with hot glue to "tempt" students.
Subject: Social Studies (2 - 10)
Title: UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, ROUTE TO FREEDOM
Description: This activity will require the teacher and student to travel throughout the school and its buildings as they travel the underground railroad. As they travel they will stop at safe houses, rest and eat before they proceed finally crossing the Ohio River to freedom.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Isaac Newton
Description: During this lesson, students have the opportunity to explore the life of Isaac Newton. Students use reference books and the Internet to investigate Newton's life. Following group discussion and individual research, students create a slide of an aspect of Isaac Newton's life. The class will create a slideshow presentation and students will deliver it to other classes.
Subject: Science (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Animals with Backbones
Description: Students will learn about animals with backbones and then create a slideshow presentation that shows the characteristics of the different groups of vertebrates. They will also create a brochure explaining how a specific animal is adapted to survive in a particular environment.
Subject: Social Studies (3), English Language Arts (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Montgomery Field Trip Tour Book
Description: During this lesson, students explore the functions of our government through the Internet, slideshow presentations, and by visiting Alabama's capital city of Montgomery. Students will use their field trip as a guide to create a tour book of the government in Montgomery.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Mathematics (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3)
Title: Out Of This World
Description: During this lesson, students will begin to realize that the solar system is a vast unexplored frontier. Students will have the opportunity to explore the different aspects of our solar system.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 5), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (2 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 4)
Title: Stop The Bullying
Description: During this lesson, students start to recognize the different types of bullying, causes, and ways of dealing with it. Through literature and the Internet, students learn how to handle bullying. Students will develop presentations to teach other how to handle bullying.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Technological Influences
Description: In this lesson students will utilize the Internet to find examples of how technology has impacted daily functioning at home and school, as well as in work settings. Students will determine how these aspects play important roles in our daily lives.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4)
Title: Mystery Writing with Alfred Hitchcock
Description: During this lesson students will explore the life of Alfred Hitchcock by navigating the Internet. Students will learn about the mysteries involved in his films and become mystery writers themselves.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4)
Title: It Happened to Me: Eruption of Mount St. Helens
Description: During this lesson, students navigate different websites to become familiar with volcanoes. Students then describe a volcanic eruption by creating their own stories about what it was like during the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Distance Learning Collaborative Literature Circles: Because of Winn Dixie
Description: During this lesson, two classes in different locations will participate separately in literature circles using Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. The discussion of the book will be a collaborative project using distance learning.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Life in Colonial America
Description: This lesson presents an explanation about who the early colonists were and why they came to America. Students will explore their lives and the economy by navigating the Internet. Students will conclude the lesson by completing a WebQuest about colonial life.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (2), Mathematics (2), English Language Arts (2), Mathematics (1 - 2), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: Fortune Cookie Verbs
Description: During this lesson students have the opportunity to create fortune cookies and identify the verbs in the fortunes.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Collaborative Project on the Civil War
Description: During this lesson two or more schools will work together using distance learning to investigate and share their community's involvement in the Civil War.
Subject: Science (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Leap Into The Life Cycle Of a Frog
Description: During this lesson students explore the life cycle of a frog. They will raise frogs in the classroom from tadpoles and document and describe each stage of the life cycle.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (4)
Title: Whales, Whales, Whales!
Description: During this lesson, students work with other students from another school to collect information about different species of whales. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the differences via video conferences. Students work together to develop a plan to help conserve whales.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (1 - 2)
Title: Why Does It Rain?
Description: The focus of this lesson is to demonstrate how rain occurs. Through trade books, Internet exploration and a teacher-led experiment, students become familiar with the water cycle.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: What Will I Be When I Grow Up?
Description: During this lesson students have the opportunity to explore different types of community helpers. Students begin to identify activities and tools associated with these community helpers. Students also begin to identify helping careers they might enjoy.
Subject: Social Studies (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Role of the President
Description: During this lesson, students have the opportunity to explore the role of the president by navigating the Internet and other resources. Students will learn about the president's family, advisors, and others who help him to accomplish his role as president.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Shoals Area Landmarks and Sites of Interest
Description: In this lesson students choose a local landmark or site located in the Shoals area and research that site's contribution to history. Students demonstrate their knowledge of a specific Shoals area landmark or site by creating various presentations showing why these landmarks and sites attract people from all over the world.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), Social Studies (3 - 5)
Title: A Divided Nation
Description: Students will explore the sectional differences between the North and the South that ultimately led to the southern secession. Students will learn what is meant by secession and which states seceded, the country they formed, its capital, and whom they elected president. Students will create a PowerPoint Presentation, a brochure, and possibly a newsletter using computer software presenting information they have learned.
Subject: Social Studies (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Where Am I?
Description: During this lesson students explore the 50 states through the Internet. Students discover important facts and information by navigating the World Wide Web.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Graphing Fun
Description: In this hands-on project, students have the opportunity to survey their classmates to find information that is meaningful to them. Then students will construct graphs using computer software. Students will analyze their information and discover the overall results of class favorites.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Science (8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6)
Title: Watch That Plant Grow
Description: This lesson allows students to explore horticulture within a controlled environment, a greenhouse. Students engage in hands-on activities as they grow their own plants and chart data concerning the conditions related to plant growth in a greenhouse. The data collected is recorded on a spreadsheet to aid in growth prediction over a specified amount of time. This lesson should precede other lessons regarding research on plants grown in a greenhouse.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Beanie Baby Habitats Collaborative Project
Description: With the booming market of "Beanie Baby" type stuffed animals being so prominent in students' lives, this project brings that interest into the classroom through the use of research, science, hands-on experiences, and technology. The project includes research of living things and habitats through various resources including textbookss, trade books, encyclopedias, and the Internet. It also includes a hands-on project where students design and create a habitat for a chosen living thing. Students will work collaboratively in the classroom and use communication skills to share information with another classroom using distance learning capabilities throughout the project.
Subject: Mathematics (4), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Quest for The Rajah's Rice
Description: After reading The Rajah's Rice, a mathematical folktale by Dave Barry, students will complete a WebQuest. The WebQuest includes a compare/contrast activity, a recipe activity, and opportunities for more extensions related to the story.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Social Studies (5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: From Tyranny to Freedom
Description: During this lesson students will have the opportunity to research famous battles of the American Revolution and document these battles in a timeline, which they will construct. Students will also create a slideshow presentation about the American Revolution to be shared with classmates.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Making Predictions
Description: This lesson will use the trade book, Balto, the Dog Who Saved Nome, to teach making predictions. Students will also learn the true story of Balto and create their own fictional story of Balto.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4)
Title: "How To Build A Snowman" Expository Writing
Description: During this lesson, students begin to understand how important specific directions are to a project. Students will demonstrate detailed writing in order to instruct their classmates on how to build a snowman.
Subject: Social Studies (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: State Jeopardy - How Much Do You Know About My State?
Description: This lesson is a distance learning collaborative project involving another school. Each school will do research on the other school's state and be able to answer questions about that state posed by the other school. Students learn not only about another state, but about their own in formulating questions to stump their opponents.
Subject: Social Studies (3), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Preparing for Natural Disasters
Description: This social studies lesson provides information and safety tips for different natural disasters. It integrates technology, writing, and art activities. The included slideshow may be presented to the whole group, or students may navigate it independently or in small groups.
Subject: Arts Education (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (3 - 4)
Title: The Strong Beat
Description: This lesson explores the use of the strong beat through songs, movement, and playing of instruments. Students will have the opportunity to practice using the strong beat. Students will visit websites to compare their findings on strong beat.
Subject: Social Studies (5), English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: "Twenty Questions" History Virtual Fieldtrip
Description: During this lesson, students engage in a virtual game of "Twenty Questions" with another class. They will utilize textbooks, trade books, the Alabama Virtual Library, and other Internet sites for reference. Each team (class) will be assigned ten historical figures from the American Revolution. The identities remain hidden from the other team. Students also have the opportunity to investigate the appropriate dress of each figure and then dress ten students accordingly. Students will make a list of important events and dates in the persons’ lives to use as reference during the game.
Subject: Science (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Biomes: Where are the Wild Things?
Description: During this lesson, students will explore biomes, ecosystems, and habitats by navigating the Internet. They will research biomes, ecosystems, and habitats in order to create a newsletter. They will have the opportunity to distribute their newsletters and discuss their findings with students in their school.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Savvy Story Structure
Description: During this lesson, students learn to actively engage in reading by becoming more familiar with the elements of a story. Students will be required to think at a higher level and will enhance their understanding of selected passages and stories. Students should also begin to relate stories to their own lives.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: What Do You See When You Look in the Mirror? Examining Character Motivation
Description: During this unit, students will ask “Why do we do what we do?” They will read different novels to analyze character motivation. Throughout the unit they will debate whether they think characters made smart choices and why. They will also become more familiar with story elements.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: You, Too, Can Be an Inventor!
Description: How have inventions changed the world? This unit focuses on the importance, the process and the creativity involved in inventing. Through the study of inventions and inventors, students learn how inventions are created and the characteristics that inventors share. They will create a slideshow presentation on an invention/inventor of their choice. Students will work through steps to come up with their own unique inventions. Finally, they will develop brochures to promote their inventions.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Science (2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: On the Farm with Wilbur and Charlotte
Description: During this unit, students will explore many aspects of the book Charlotte's Web. Students will work as a group to develop a presentation, design a web page, and prepare a newsletter. They will also complete a WebQuest about Charlotte's Web and study farm animals.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Technology and Baseball
Description: This lesson utilizes a distance learning field trip to The Baseball Hall of Fame to research how technology has affected a baseball player's career.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Social Studies (6), English Language Arts (6), Character Education (K - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: What Makes a Good or Bad Leader?
Description: After deciding on the criteria of a good leader, students research either a good or bad leader, create a class presentation of that person which focuses on his/her impact on history. Students then write and perform a three to four minute skit to illustrate the leader's impact on American life.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 11), English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Travel Newsletter
Description: In a role as the director of tourism for a student-selected city, state, or country, students conduct online research to create travel newsletters enticing tourists to visit their chosen areas. Newsletter content includes location, historical background, primary industry, attractions, and accommodations. Word processing skills implemented include newspaper columns, word art, graphic lines, serif vs. sans serif fonts, and justification.
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Expressing Yourself With Poetry
Description: Two classes at different schools or across the hall share dramatic poetry presentations as part of a poetry unit. Students listen to poetry, practice reading poetry, and (if practical) participate in a distance learning program on poetry. Students then produce a Poetry Alive program that will be shared with another class through video conferencing or video tapes.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 8), Arts Education (6 - 8)
Title: Advertising: What Sells?
Description: This unit encourages students to become aware of the nature and amount of advertising that surrounds them every day, the kinds of visuals used in advertising, and the impact of those visuals. The unit includes an optional virtual field trip to the Museum of Television and Radio.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6)
Title: A Visual Dress Code
Description: Primarily designed for ESL students who need visual representations to reinforce the meanings of words, this lesson encourages ESL and native speaking students to extend their vocabulary and conversational skills as they create a slideshow presentation or illustrated booklet of the school or system dress code.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Mathematics (5), Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (4)
Title: Propaganda & Persuasive Techniques: Do You Buy It?
Description: During this lesson, students have the opportunity to learn about basic persuasive techniques employed in advertising. They will collect and analyze data about advertising in general. They will share examples of persuasive techniques used in advertising. Then, they have the opportunity to create their own "products" and use one persuasive technique in original "commercials." Students perform their commercials in a live teleconference, while audience members try to guess which persuasive technique is used.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Social Studies (3 - 4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: A Tour of Birmingham: WebQuest
Description: This inquiry-based project will provide opportunities for students to learn about the history of Birmingham. Students will discover the variety tourist attractions in Birmingham, Alabama.
Subject: Social Studies (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Our New Nation
Description: After studying the American Revolutionary War, students learn about the founding of the United States of America. Pretending to be the founding fathers, students will divide into small groups to create and design their own nation and system of government for the colonies. They will create the laws, economic system, powers of government, pledge, national symbol, anthem, etc. Students will create a presentation about their "new nation." The groups will give an oral presentation justifying why their system of government should be selected for the colonies.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Creating a Website on Explorers
Description: After researching famous European explorers and choosing the most important ones, students create a web page highlighting European explorers and the discoveries and impact these explorers had on the world. The web page will contain a survey which will allow visitors to select their "Explorer Idol" after reading about each explorer.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm. . . . .
Description: In this lesson students have to put their critical thinking skills to the test by debating a real life hot topic that matters to them. Students will be collaborating with students from another classroom, city, state or country. Utilizing their research and presentation skills, students must effectively communicate their point of view to peers. Learning the rules of debate has never been so much fun!
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Social Studies (10)
Title: Where Can I Find That Book?
Description: This lesson allows students to use current topics of study (e.g. the Stamp Act, the Boston Tea Party, the Intolerable Acts) to learn about the Library of Congress Classification System (LCC).
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Adjectives in a Bag!
Description: During this hands-on lesson, students learn to describe unknown objects by using adjectives. Students have the opportunity to practice using adjectives by exploring an Internet site.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Author Study
Description: During this lesson, students will learn more about their favorite authors by researching them on the Internet and presenting to the class, school, and community. Students will see that authors are real people thereby developing an appreciation for reading and writing.
Subject: Science (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Have You Seen My Mother?
Description: This lesson will introduce the sense of smell. It will show how an animal, such as a bat, finds its baby by using the sense of smell. Students will have the opportunity to view information on the Internet to learn more about bats. They will also participate in a hands-on activity to experience how a mother bats locates her baby.
Subject: Science (5), English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Our Trip Around the Biomes
Description: During this lesson, students travel to the biomes by way of the Internet. They learn the characteristics of biomes, including animals, plants, temperatures, etc. Students then use this information to create a slideshow presentation to help the zoo improve animal habitats.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Put Your Best Foot Forward: Creating Resumes and Cover Letters
Description: Using examples, discussion, and online research, students learn what elements need to be part of an effective resume and cover letter. Students then create their own resumes using templates and write a standard cover letter.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Unlocking the Author in You
Description: This lesson is designed to help students develop a love for writing. Students use the attached presentation to guide them in the writing process. They will navigate a variety of websites to help them learn about writing.
Subject: Arts Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: Abstract Art, Portaiture, and Computer Technology
Description: Students will utilize books and the Internet to research abstract art and a particular artist. Research will be compiled into a slideshow presentation. Secondly, focus will be put on portraits and an image of the student will be enhanced using computer software. Abstraction is required.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: "Hanging Out the Laundry" with Place Value
Description: As an introduction to the thousands place in place value, students will first practice with place value mats and base ten blocks. Then students will play "hanging out the laundry" for more practice with place value. Additional practice can be gained by accessing the website provided.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: Writing with Presentation Software
Description: During this lesson students use their imaginations to create short stories. Then they create alternative endings to their classmates' stories. Students present their stories using presentation software.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 8)
Title: Top Ten Books
Description: During this lesson students review their favorite books from the present school year. They navigate the Internet to locate information about the author of their favorite book and write a summary. Students compile their information in a slideshow presentation and show it to younger students to motivate them to read.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4)
Title: Room Budget
Description: During this technology-based lesson, students learn the importance of planning a project while focusing on a budget. They focus on money and calculation skills to help them stay within the budget. Students use Internet sites to locate the information they need to design a new room.
Subject: Mathematics (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (7)
Title: Bu- Bu- Bubbles!
Description: Students will employ the Scientific Method, measurement skills and spreadsheet software to generate and report relevant data. The data generated from this activity is used to illustrate the need for consumer awareness and the strength of advertising.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (8), English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Integrating Grammar and Literature through Digital Storytelling
Description: In this lesson students create digital stories in cooperative groups using multimedia tools to demonstrate comprehension of the elements of grammar, literature, and technology introduced in the lesson. Students become actively involved in literature, recognize an author's intent, and examine the importance of word choice in writing. This lesson incorporates sentence manipulation, the elements of fiction, storyboarding, and the production of a slideshow presentation.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Writing Activity: Harris Burdick Stories
Description: After reading The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, by Chris Van Allsburg, students create their own stories about the pictures. By navigating the Internet, students learn more about the writing process to help them create their stories.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Social Studies (1)
Title: Community Helpers
Description: In this unit, students will be learning about community helpers. They will look at several different community helpers individually, and discuss their jobs and how they are helpful. Students will decide which community helper they think is the most important and why. Finally, the students will create a presentation which shows their favorite community helpers.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 8), English Language Arts (5 - 8), English Language Arts (5 - 6)
Title: Author Trading Cards
Description: In this lesson students conduct print and Internet research to gather information about a contempory author. Students create an author trading card featuring this information and then collect and/or trade these cards as they select reading material.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 5), Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (3 - 8), English Language Arts (4)
Title: Skillful Slideshows
Description: During this technology-based lesson, students learn how to create slideshow presentations that are creative and inviting to the audience. They use fonts, graphics, effects, etc, to capture audience attention.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (9), English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Get to Know Your Library Media Center
Description: This lesson will provide students with an orientation to the Library Media Center and the Dewey Decimal Classification System. The students will access the Alabama Virtual Library and will participate in a library scavenger hunt as a basic introduction to the library services.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (3 - 5)
Title: Carle's Crazy Critters
Description: This lesson provides students with the opportunity to read books aloud to the class. Students also spend time researching Eric Carle and his practices as a writer and illustrator. Finally, students become writers and illustrators themselves, as they create their own books and present their books to younger students.
Subject: Social Studies (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Classroom Feud
Description: As part of a unit about the state of Alabama, students spend time collecting information about the state, which they in turn report to a classroom in another state using distance learning equipment. Then the two classroms in different states "battle it out" in a game show about the two states written by the teachers.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: Fact Families: Addition and Subtraction Skills
Description: During this lesson students learn how numbers create fact families. Students identify missing numbers from a fact family by working on an Internet site. They also create their own slideshow presentation demonstrating fact families.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (2), Social Studies (2), Science (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: A Readers' Theatre for Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
Description: This readers' theatre of Verna Aardema's Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain crosses the curriculum to incorporate language arts, social studies, and science objectives. Students will become familiar with the text of the story and then present the story as a play with parts.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: An Ocean Adventure
Description: Students will listen to a story and then, using the writing process, write their own story using word processing software. They will then create an ocean picture to illustrate their stories.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Mathematics (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3)
Title: ABC's of Geometry
Description: During this lesson students explore the world of geometry on the Internet. Students create their own list of terms by navigating geometry sites. Students also reinforce what they have learned using interactive Internet sites.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (6 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: Running of the Bulls and Bullfighting in Pamplona, Spain
Description: Students research the history and the traditions surrounding the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, and bullfighting and its significance to the Spanish culture. Students submit a typed report on their findings and in pairs present those findings to the class.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: Learning Journals
Description: During this lesson students learn about writing learning journals. Students are instructed on the key components of learning journals as well as how to use this type of journal to record what they are learning so that they can retain the information longer. After viewing a learning journal entry, then working in groups to create a learning journal entry, students read an article and write a learning journal entry of their own.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Me in a Box
Description: During this lesson students develop a sense of self awareness and appreciation for their own individuality and uniqueness. Students use graphic organizers to identify personality traits and collect items and pictures that represent the traits. The class has fun trying to identify to whom each box belongs before they are presented.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 12)
Title: Parent Brochures for English Language Learners
Description: In this lesson English Language Learners will design and publish a brochure that introduces the school to their parents. The brochure includes English and native language translations, pictures, and explanations of school function. The lesson can be adjusted for any grade level.
Subject: English Language Arts (7 - 8), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Researching Mark Twain's Early Life and Experiences
Description: This lesson requires students to use the Internet to research the early life of Mark Twain and the influence of his childhood experiences on his writing. The lesson includes letter writing, reading, role playing, and working in a group to create a slideshow presentation.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: WANTED: A Few Of Our Favorite Authors
Description: This unit is designed to spotlight the work of one children's author each month. Students explore the life and writing styles of each author studied, as well as incorporating studies of story elements in the various works.
Subject: Arts Education (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (3 - 5)
Title: Orchestra Instruments and Their Families
Description: During this lesson students learn the orchestra instruments and to which family each instrument belongs. They visually identify instruments and navigate Internet sites to see and hear each instrument.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Matter
Description: During this lesson, students explore matter through a hands-on investigation. By participating in an experiment and navigating the Internet, students learn to identify the properties of matter.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: Narrative Writing: "A Day in the Life of ..."
Description: In this lesson, students will use what they have learned about narrative writing in an authentic situation. This is part of a welcome packet for students who are new to the school. Students will work in groups to conduct research and compose narrative essays telling about a typical day in the life of a kindergartner, first grader, etc. The project will culminate in the creation of a brochure and slideshow presentation that can be used by teachers to introduce new students to their class.
Subject: English Language Arts (10 - 12), English Language Arts (10 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Writing a Persuasive Essay
Description: In this lesson students research opposing viewpoints on controversial issues and develop their own position papers. Though primarily for English classes, this lesson could be easily adapted for an interdisciplinary unit with social studies or science classes.
Subject: Science (6), Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Comparing Two Fossil Localities
Description: During this lesson students go on a field trip to locate fossils. Students investigate their findings and identify them using resources from the Internet. They then videoconference to compare/contrast their hypotheses with those of another school.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Color of Words
Description: This lesson is a word processing basic skills lesson. It is designed to introduce students to formatting text. The formatting concepts include: changing text alignment, changing text color and changing font size.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Story Elements
Description: During this lesson, students will analyze what distinguishes the stories they love. Reading and reviewing their favorite books will help students begin to identify elements of a story. Students have the opportunity to navigate the Internet and create a presentation to demonstrate what they have learned about elements of a story.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: What Is The Main Idea?
Description: During this lesson students begin to identify the main idea of a story they read or hear. Students use graphic organizers to discover the main idea of The Carrot Seed, by Ruth Krauss, and Marsupial Sue, by John Lithgow.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3)
Title: Capturing Polygons
Description: During this lesson students discover the different types of polygons. They use a variety of methods to learn to identify polygons. They realize that polygons are everywhere as they search for polygons around the school.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: My Bad Day
Description: During this writing lesson students go step by step through the writing process to create a story about a bad day. Students use graphic organizers and Internet resources to help improve their writing skills.
Subject: Science (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Compass Skills Scavenger Hunt
Description: During this lesson students take a reading with a compass and use the compass to reach multiple checkpoints. Students also demonstrate their knowledge by locating specific coordinates that spell out a phrase.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (1), Social Studies (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Helen Keller
Description: During this lesson students learn about the life of Helen Keller and how she communicated with others. Students have the opportunity to use sign language to communicate with others. Students gain an appreciation for their sight and hearing, as well as admiration for those who do not have these senses.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Read, Write, and Say
Description: In this lesson students improve their ability to spell sight words and decodable text. Students use a slideshow presentation to practice spelling frequently-used words. This lesson will improve students' writing skills.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Stars
Description: During this hands-on lesson students learn about the life cycle of a star. They recreate the life cycle and explore the Internet to learn more about stars.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Clifford's Class Trip by Norman Bridwell
Description: During this lesson students learn new vocabulary words through an enjoyable children's book. Students use knowledge of the new words to create a slideshow and original story.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), English Language Arts (6), Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: What Was So Depressing About the Great Depression?
Description: This lesson focuses on the effects of the Great Depression on American life in the period from 1929-1940. Students learn about changes in art, music and literature that symbolize life of the everyday man. Students also learn about the causes that lead to the Great Depression.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Literary Elements in Jan Brett's The Mitten
Description: Students will analyze such literary elements as plot, cause-effect relationships, sequence, and prediction in Jan Brett's The Mitten. Students will enjoy predicting upcoming story events and retelling the story from a dialogue that shows a text-to-self relationship.
Subject: Mathematics (2 - 3), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (1 - 4)
Title: It's About Time
Description: During this lesson students gain an understanding of an analog clock and a digital clock. Students watch a movie that explains the importance of time. Students make a clock, see how it works, and complete activities that demonstrate understanding of the concepts covered.
Subject: Social Studies (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Become a Thanksgiving Historian
Description: Students may be surprised to find out that some ideas they have about the history of Thanksgiving are actually myths. In this lesson students become a true "Thanksgiving historian" by completing a Venn diagram about the Wampanoag people and the Pilgrims with information acquired through Internet searches.
Subject: Science (4 - 6), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Sun, Earth, and Moon: Calendar of Events
Description: During this lesson students are going to take a look at moon phases and sunrise-sunset times in order to learn about daylight hours. Students discover that we do not always have the same amount of daylight each day. This lesson is best completed in December and January.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 10), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (9 - 10), English Language Arts (9 - 10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Analyzing the Poetry of Emily Dickinson
Description: Students examine ways in which life events of a poet influence the poetry written. After researching Emily Dickinson's biography, students analyze her poetry and present a collage depicting one poem. The lesson can be easily adapted to the study of many other poets.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (3)
Title: Quadrilaterals
Description: During this lesson students explore the Internet to learn about quadrilaterals. Students create the different types of quadrilaterals and use technology to learn how to classify quadrilaterals.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: A Long Way From Chicago: Web Search
Description: Used as an introduction to the reading of Richard Peck's book, A Long Way From Chicago, this lesson is designed to familiarize students with topics that help them to better understand the setting of the novel. Students search the Internet for information and present their findings to the class in an oral presentation.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9 - 12), English Language Arts (10)
Title: If I Read It, It Must Be True
Description: Working in groups, students identify methods of propaganda and analyze television, magazine, and Internet ads. Groups then create their own ad using one of the identified methods.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (8), English Language Arts (8), English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: A Dickens of a Time: Discovering the Victorian Period
Description: Before reading Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, students examine different aspects of Victorian Life in London through a variety of research projects requiring hands-on computer activities.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Dinosaurs: Prefixes and Suffixes
Description: Scientists use prefixes and suffixes to name dinosaurs. In this lesson, students will use a variety of prefixes and suffixes to create their own dinosaur names. They will draw a picture of the new dinosaur, and then type, edit, and print a story using a word processor.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Everyman in Everyday Language
Description: To gain understanding of allegory and appreciate the changing nature of language, students will read, discuss, and rewrite the medieval morality play Everyman into common teenage language.
Subject: Social Studies (K - 2), English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (1 - 2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Our Summer Vacation
Description: This lesson will be used after a study of Alabama. It will incorporate the theme of vacationing into information learned about state parks in Alabama. Students will make a book about favorite state parks in Alabama and favorite things to do in them.
Subject: Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (2)
Title: Recognizing The Penny
Description: As an introduction to a unit on money, students will work with teacher to recognize the penny and its value. Then students will go shopping at the classroom store to practice counting pennies.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Health Education (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Cheese, Peas, and Chocolate Pudding---Please
Description: This lesson will introduce the importance of a good diet. Students will work in groups to create sample menus with healthy food choices. Finally, students will participate in making chocolate pudding, fingerpainting with it, and eating it.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Lois Lowry's The Giver: Using a WebQuest to Create a Persuasive Brochure
Description: After reading Lois Lowry's The Giver, students use a WebQuest to research ideas and themes from the novel. Students use their research and persuasive writing skills to create a brochure designed to sell a way of thinking or way of life addressed in the novel.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Amazing Antigravity Stem
Description: This lesson consists of an experiment which will demonstrate how a plant uses its stem to carry water and minerals from the roots to the leaves and other parts of the plant. Students will then use their word processing skills to record what they know about the stem of a plant.
Subject: English Language Arts (12), English Language Arts (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Teaching the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales
Description: In this self-directed study involving research, composition, and presentation, students analyze Chaucer's characters of The Canterbury Tales as presented in the Prologue. Each student casts a modern personality in the role of one of the characters and writes an essay defending the choice.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (6 - 12)
Title: Russian Calendar: Seasons and Months
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to acquire appropriate calendar vocabulary for future use in exercises, dialogues and everyday conversations. This lesson should be followed by a series of lessons on perfecting the knowledge of the newly acquired vocabulary, learning how to use it in speech situations, identifying and giving out the dates and days of the week for particular events, etc.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (2)
Title: Flutter By, Butterfly!
Description: This technology-based lesson will teach students the basic characteristics of different types of butterflies. It should be presented after a unit about the life cycle and habitat of butterflies. Students will use approved Internet sites to locate illustrations and facts about various species of butterflies. Students will work together and with teacher assistance to create a slideshow presentation that combines all of the species of butterflies the students locate.
Subject: Physical Education (K - 2)
Title: Hoop! There It Is!
Description: In this lesson early elementary students will learn how to strengthen their bodies, stretch out their muscles, and learn balance by using a hula hoop. After viewing a presentation about hula hoops, students will get a chance to practice different movements with hula hoops.
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 8), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Reading, Writing, and Sounder
Description: The activities included in this lesson plan require the reading of William Armstrong's Sounder. This technology-based lesson fosters critical thinking and includes journal writing, student-led discussions with another class via video conferencing, vocabulary development, and persuasive writing.
Subject: Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Exploring the Culture of Europe
Description: In this technology-based lesson, students will create a slideshow presentation or a travel brochure to highlight attractions in a chosen country and the historical significance of each attraction. Students will present their created products to the class at the end of a European culture study.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Appealing to Your Target Market
Description: Working in teams, students take on the role of marketers, identify a target market, and persuade that market to move to or visit an assigned state by creating an informative and enticing brochure from researched information.
Subject: Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Are You Prepared?
Description: Natural disasters come in many different forms. In order to be better prepared, students have to know the different types of disasters. In this lesson students will research natural disasters in order to create a brochure highlighting an event and featuring ways to protect themselves.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco by Janice Repka
Description: This lesson will lead students in relating literature to their own lives. The book, The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco, will be read aloud to students. Afterward, students will create short stories about things which they'd like to change around their school.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: Newberry Award
Description: This unit will introduce the history of the Newberry Award to students. The selection process will be discussed. Students will also visit websites and the library to select a Newberry book to read. Finally, students will give book talks to accompany slideshows they have created.
Subject: Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Welcome to All?
Description: This lesson is designed to be taught after an introduction to immigration history or as a culminating activity.
This is a hands-on, technology-based lesson that relates a student's individual immigration history to the boom of immigration in the late 1800's through the early 1900's. This lesson also gives students insight into the rise of anti-immigrant feelings in the United States during this time period.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Legendary Lighthouses
Description: In this technology-based interdisciplinary lesson, students will discover many facts about lighthouses by navigating the Internet. Students have the opportunity to use the facts they learn to create their own stories about lighthouses.
Subject: Science (4 - 7), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Is That a Whale?
Description: This lesson will increase student knowledge of whale anatomy and habitat while using the Internet for information gathering.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Irish ABCs
Description: During this lesson, students will have the opportunity to learn about St. Patrick's Day while navigating the Internet. Students will get to transform their research into an ABC Book to share with family and friends.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 5), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: What is It?
Description: Technology is incorporated into this "riddle" lesson as students select an image to capture using a digital camera. This is a fun lesson designed to introduce students to the use of digital cameras. After editing the picture, they practice their writing skills to construct a simple sentence to give a hint of what the image might be.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Character Education (K - 12), Information Literacy (K - 12), Social Studies (2)
Title: Christmas Around The World
Description: This technology-based lesson allows students to use the Internet as a research tool to locate information about different Christmas celebrations around the world. By discovering the way the world celebrates, students have an opportunity to learn about tolerance.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Early American Explorers
Description: During this project-based lesson, students will become detectives looking for information about early American explorers. Students will have the opportunity to navigate the Internet to locate important facts about these explorers. Students will get then present their findings in the form of a slideshow presentation, timeline, and bookmark.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Mathematics (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (3)
Title: Geo Picture
Description: During this lesson students use their imagination to create a fascinating picture using only straight lines. Students have the opportunity to illustrate their designs on an interactive Internet site.
Subject: Science (K - 1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: What Will I Wear to School Today?
Description: Hot, cold, windy, or snowing, students need to know how to dress appropriately. In this lesson, students will learn how weather affects what they wear to school each day. Students will practice choosing the appropriate clothing by using computer software that allows students to dress different people.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2)
Title: Luscious Lashes
Description: This is a fun way to teach young students the concept of counting pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. It is important to be able to count coins and bills and be able to make change. This lesson will sharpen money counting skills and introduce them to some new coins. Students also learn to trade coins for another coin of equal value until they reach a quarter.
Subject: Mathematics (K), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K)
Title: Geometric Shapes
Description: During this lesson, students will explore shapes and become aware of shapes all around them. They will search for shapes in a variety of places and explore shapes on the Internet.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Exploring the Reconstruction Era
Description: This unit introduces students to the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877) of American history. Students will discover that Reconstruction failed to alter the South's social structure or its distribution of wealth and power. They will conclude through their research that legislation passed during this period eventually prevailed and brought a change of life for African-Americans and women.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (1), Health Education (1), Arts Education (K - 2)
Title: Weather
Description: Over this three-week unit, students will learn basic concepts about weather and the part it plays in their everyday lives. Students will make a slideshow presentation that summarizes the content presented about seasons and things in the sky. Also, students will make a flyer that summarizes the content presented about severe weather and severe weather safety. Finally, students will keep a daily log of local weather and put this information into a website.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (3 - 5)
Title: Animal Environment and Adaptation
Description: In this lesson students will enjoy different activities focusing on how animals adapt to their environments. They will begin by researching two animals, their environment, and the ways the animals adapt to this environment. In small groups students will invent a new animal, including its environment and adaptations. Using presentation software, students will introduce their new animals to the class.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Expository Writing and The Civil War
Description: This lesson is designed to help students strengthen their research and writing skills, while learning more about the Civil War, as they produce an expository paragraph. Students will glean information from an article about the causes of the Civil War and then use the "Step Up To Writing" technique to write their paragraphs.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8)
Title: Scale Drawings
Description: During this lesson students practice measuring and converting to scaled measurements. Students measure various places on campus, such as a classroom or the gym. They place their findings on a spreadsheet. After converting these measurements to a scaled version, students draw a scaled model.
Subject: Science (2 - 3), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Simple Machines
Description: During this lesson students learn about the six types of simple machines. They define each type of machine, experiment with each type, utilize the Internet to explore each type of machine, and build their own simple machine. This lesson is designed for third grades students but can be adapted for second grade.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Revolutionary War, Research, and Technology
Description: During this social studies lesson, students conduct research on specified topics related to the Revolutionary War. The lesson should be used at the culmination of a unit of study on the American Revolution. Students will use word processing software and the Internet to create summaries of what they have learned during the unit.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (K - 1), Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (K - 1), English Language Arts (K - 1)
Title: Word Families: -ig and -ip
Description: This technology-based lesson will help students develop their phonemic awareness by teaching students to hear the sounds in the -ig and -ip word families. It also leads students to apply what they have learned.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Digestive System Adventure
Description: During this lesson students adventure through the digestive system via the Internet. They then use their knowledge of the digestive system to create an original story about their favorite food's adventure down the digestive track.
Subject: English Language Arts (12), English Language Arts (12)
Title: Writing About Issues in the Media
Description: In this lesson students analyze media coverage of current issues and present their findings in a formal research paper and class presentation.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: A Star and a Wish
Description: In this lesson students will use the game "A Star and a Wish" to help develop better fluency in reading. After practicing the game as a whole group, students will be divided into pairs to continue playing the game and have the opportunity to remediate on "wish" items.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (2), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (2 - 3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Wonderful Wolves
Description: In this lesson students learn about wolves through literature and research. Students learn the truth about wolves by completing a WebQuest examining wolf myths. Then students have the opportunity to locate information about wolves through a variety of print resources and the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts (10 - 12), English Language Arts (10 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Is Romance Dead?
Description: As an introduction to the medieval romances, students compare and contrast the medieval rules of courtly love to the modern "rules" of courtship and romance. Students write a compare/contrast essay after group work and class discussion.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Let's Identify and Classify
Description: During this hands-on lesson, students learn about scientific classification by navigating the Internet. They will examine a variety of potato chips in order to create their own classification key.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Name Etymology
Description: During this lesson, students will have the opportunity to research the etymology and history of their names. Students will begin to understand ways to make history, linguistic history, and cultural history a lot of fun.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Vertebrates or Invertebrates
Description: During this lesson, students navigate the Internet to discover facts about vertebrates and invertebrates. They use the facts they learn to participate in several class activities.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Powerful Book Reports
Description: This lesson allows students to identify the critical components of a story while developing expertise in creating and presenting multimedia presentations.
Subject: Science (K - 1)
Title: Living Things
Description: During this lesson students will learn about living things. Through this hands-on lesson, students will have the opportunity to create a slideshow presentation and plant poster and explore Internet sites to learn about living things.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Mathematics (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 1), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: Inch by Inch Learning Is a Cinch
Description: This lesson uses an interdisciplinary approach involving literature, math, and writing. Using the book, Inch by Inch, by Leo Lionni students will explore the world of measurement. They will have the opportunity to practice measuring objects with inchworms like in the book. They will also have a chance to use creative thinking to write their own stories.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (2)
Title: Addition With Regrouping
Description: During this lesson, students will learn how to add 3-digit numbers using regrouping. Students will use manipulatives to help them learn this new concept. Students will have the opportunity to reinforce what they learn by navigating different websites.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Vocabulary Magic
Description: This lesson will take words that are unknown to students and teach students how to determine their meanings. This will help open up the world of reading to students.
Subject: Physical Education (K - 3)
Title: Rhythmic Parachute Play
Description: The parachute is a great way to help develop arm and shoulder muscles. This lesson will help improve endurance and stamina. The parachute can be used to teach teamwork and group cooperation and will also improve basic motor skills and a sense of rhythm. There are six parachute activities that will be fun and exciting for all.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (12)
Title: Dewey and the Library of Congress: Map and Matching
Description: After reviewing the Dewey Decimal Classification System, students are introduced to the Library of Congress Classification System. Students create a map of a university library that uses the LCCS and demonstrate their understanding of the placement of books in each system by playing a game with the maps they create.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9)
Title: A Gift For Mom and Dad
Description: Following a reading of O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi," students write an expository essay based on the connotative definition of "gift." The essay is then presented as a holiday gift. The lesson can be adapted to a variety of occasions and grade levels.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (8), English Language Arts (8)
Title: Everyday Heroes
Description: Following a unit on Greek mythology and mythological heroes, students design and maintain a website that features everyday heroes. Students submit candidates based on their everyday encounters with people in the community.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 8), Arts Education (6 - 8)
Title: Perfect Perception? (Perception and Illusion)
Description: Students are introduced to perception puzzles to encourage discovery of symmetry, eye and mind connection, and manipulation of perception. This lesson could be a springboard to lessons in art, math, and science. Included are websites that will be useful to both the student and the teacher.
Subject: Health Education (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Teeth
Description: During this lesson, students will be taught the importance of good oral hygiene. They will learn about life-long care of teeth. They will also learn about common tooth problems. Students will have the opportunity to view important tooth facts on the Internet.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (7 - 12)
Title: Dice Roll Project
Description: This project is a fun way for students to observe the integration of a probability lesson with spreadsheet software. Students will record 36 rolls of a pair of dice. After they record their data, students will manually calculate the mean, median, mode and range. Students will then observe how quickly a computer can do those same calculations and many more things with that same data. Students will also compare experimental outcomes to the theoretical outcome.
Subject: Arts Education (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Social Studies (5), Arts Education (5)
Title: The Lost Colony of Roanoke
Description: In this lesson students will build on their knowledge of the lost colony of Roanoke. Using the Internet, students will research theories about the disappearance of the colonists and use what they have learned to write and perform a play about an assigned theory. They will incorporate technology by recording the plays and editing them using movie editing software.
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 8), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Copyright Laws and What They Mean To You - Don't Get Branded With the "P" of Plagiarism!
Description: This lesson teaches an overview of copyright laws and the consequences of plagiarism. Students practice paraphrasing short passages and identifying instances of plagiarism.
Subject: English Language Arts (2 - 3), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (2 - 3)
Title: Play the Dewey Decimal System Game
Description: This lesson introduces the 10 main categories used in the Dewey Decimal Classification System for non-fiction bookshelf arrangement. A slideshow will be presented to students to help them learn details about the Dewey Decimal Classification System. Students will be able to demonstrate what they learn through participating in an interactive game.
Subject: Social Studies (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Native American Acrostic Poems
Description: In this lesson, students will synthesize the knowledge they have acquired about early Native American tribes by creating and presenting an acrostic poem that incorporates pictures symbolizing important characteristics of the tribes. In creating the acrostic poems students will utilize a variety of technology including digital cameras, scanners, image editing software and word processing software. The lesson will culminate in an oral presentation of the poems.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (6 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: Vamos a Viajar
Description: Students will learn about Spanish-speaking countries around the world. They will create brochures or newsletters to illustrate their research.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (3 - 12), Technology Education (3 - 12)
Title: El Dinero y La Bandera de España (o Mexico, Peru, etc.)
Description: This plan is a research activity in which foreign language students use technology to discover the currency of a country. This research will lead to an historical scavenger hunt and end with the country's current exchange rate to that of the United States. Also, students will discover and explain the country's flag and its historical significance. This plan is based on a Spanish class lesson, but could be applied to any foreign language.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (4 - 5)
Title: Writing the Biographical Sketch
Description: Working in pairs, students interview each other in order to collect information about their partners. They will practice the writing process as they write biographical sketches which incorporate scanned pictures.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (9 - 12), English Language Arts (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Exploring the Alabama Virtual Library
Description: In preparation for independent research projects, students in small groups practice proper citation and familiarize themselves with Alabama Virtual Library databases using a graphic organizer.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: What’s Going On and Where Am I?
Description: In this lesson, students write a descriptive essay about an historical event as seen through the eyes of an alien from a different planet and time. The lesson encourages the use of colorful and exciting adjectives, adverbs, and verbs in the essay.
Subject: English Language Arts (5 - 7), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Understanding Comics
Description: Using the book Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud as the primary resource, this unit focuses on comics as a tool for communication. Students participate in activities which include journal and essay writing, a graphic organizer, and a distance learning field trip.
Subject: Science (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: What Is Alive?
Description: This lesson is the opening lesson for a unit of study entitled "Why Doesn't A Caterpillar Grow Up To Be An Oak Tree?" during which students take a look at life cycles of plants and animals. This lesson will encourage students to explore the concepts of "living" and "non-living" by comparing them.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (7), Social Studies (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Personal Heritage Project
Description: This research project requires students to connect with the past by researching both primary and secondary sources for family history. Their findings are presented in a keepsake portfolio and in a multimedia presentation comparing the historical time period of an ancestor to their own.
Subject: Arts Education (3), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (3 - 12)
Title: Composers Then and Now
Description: During this lesson students will have the opportunity to research the following composers: Kenny G, W.C. Handy, Johannes Brahms, and Amadeus Mozart. Students will learn to navigate the Internet to locate important facts. They will also learn to use publishing software to create a brochure from the information they collect.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4 - 5)
Title: Writing Decimals
Description: This lesson gets students involved through the use of the calculator and computers. Students will have the opportunity to use calculators and computers to demonstrate knowledge of decimal place value and how to write decimal numbers to the tenth and hundredths place.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Identifying and Using Action Verbs
Description: It is important to know how to use verbs correctly. This lesson will demonstrate how to use action verbs. Students will visit Internet sites to learn more about action verbs. They will have the opportunity to use newly-learned action verbs to write a story and act it out.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Pen Pal Mania!
Description: In this lesson, students will use the target language to correspond with a native speaker. This is an excellent activity for students in second semester of second year or higher.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3 - 6)
Title: Can Plants Be Grown in Space?
Description: This lesson allows students to explore finding a solution to growing plants in space. Students will have the opportunity to conduct a scientific investigation to discover if plants can grow in space. Students will also take a virtual field trip and discuss their experiment results with experts from NASA.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Archeology: Can You Dig It?
Description: In this technology-based, interdisciplinary study, students will discover how archeology helps us learn about our past. They will navigate the Internet to discover different methods archeologists use and gain an appreciation of the relationship between the past and the present.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Science (3), Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3)
Title: Investigating the Weather
Description: During this lesson, students will study, record, and predict weather. Students will work in groups to create a weather word wall, research and make a barometer, and create a video about weather. Students will also use the Internet to learn more about weather.
Subject: Science (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Energy
Description: During this lesson students will learn about energy. Students will have the opportunity to navigate the Internet to locate information about energy. They will also have the opportunity to create a slideshow to demonstrate their new knowledge about energy.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Finding Pi - A Math Adventure
Description: In this lesson students will hear the story of Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi and participate in class activities to discover pi. Technology resources will be used to display results.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9)
Title: Take Two: Using Technology for Writing and Designing
Description: In groups, students brainstorm to create a product, develop an advertisement for the product, design and present a slideshow, script a commercial for the product, and present the commercial in a 5-10 minute video.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Technology Education (3 - 8), English Language Arts (5 - 6), English Language Arts (5 - 6)
Title: Lou Gehrig and Character Education
Description: After reading book or short story about Lou Gehrig, students conduct online research to learn more about him. Using the material they gather about his life and character, students create a flyer/poster. Students then participate in a virtual field trip from the Baseball Hall of Fame entitled "Lou Gehrig: The Iron Horse."
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Johnny Appleseed
Description: During this lesson, students will learn about Johnny Appleseed through a variety of sources. From the information, students will distinguish between fact and fiction. Students will use the writing process to create their own stories about Johnny Appleseed. They will have the opportunity to publish their work and share it with the class.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), English Language Arts (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Who's Who on Olympus and Why Should I Care?
Description: References to mythology extend far beyond the basic exploration of a genre. This unit will serve as an exploration of the creation myth across cultures, an introduction to the major Greek gods and goddesses, and an opportunity to link mythology to today's world. Students will research and create a newsletter on a creation myth and the culture from which it came. They will also plan and present a slideshow presentation about a major god or goddess of ancient Greece, including allusions to him/her in today's world.
Subject: Science (1), Health Education (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Far Out Food and Work In Space
Description: Blast off! Take students on a journey aboard the space shuttle to learn about living and working in space. Meet astronauts who think healthy living is a must. See if students have what it takes to be a space cadet.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Magnet Mania
Description: Students will discover the power of magnets through this interactive lesson. First, students will participate in a virtual field trip. Afterwards, students will create electronic posters about magnets using information learned during the field trip.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (11), English Language Arts (11)
Title: American Historical Fiction Journal
Description: In this American literature (1900-2000) creative research paper project, each student creates an original work of American historical fiction using his/her knowledge of the research process. Students identify and address the ways culture, technology, and social customs are reflected in American literature from 1900 to the present.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K), Health Education (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Good Hygiene: Hands and Teeth
Description: During this technology based hands-on lesson, students explore the Internet to learn about the importance of hand washing and teeth brushing. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate these methods of guarding their health.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Classification
Description: This lesson will explain the reasons that society groups and classifies. The lesson has a hands-on component that helps students connect everyday grouping with the way that scientists group and classify all living organisms.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Fun on the Farm
Description: During this lesson, students will navigate the Internet to learn about farm animals. Students will take a virtual field trip with the teacher to explore a farm. They will also visit a website and explore farm animals and their sounds.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Animal, Insect, and Bird Classification
Description: As a follow-up to a unit on the classifications of animals, insects, and birds, students will attend a distance learning field trip. The students will then e-mail trusted adults some of the information learned about the classification of animals.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Animal Hide and Seek
Description: This lesson will help students become aware of how animals use their colors to their advantage. After a discussion and activity about the importance of different animals' colors, students will participate in a virtual field trip with the Bronx Zoo.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: What Will I Do With My Life?
Description: This lesson gives students a better understanding of careers that fit their personalities. Students take an interest survey, calculate salary, search for possible jobs available in their area, and create a business card.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Upper and Lower Case Match-up
Description: This technology-based lesson has students navigate Internet sites to assist them with learning the letter names and sounds. Students also use slideshow presentations to identify letter matches and learn beginning sounds.
Subject: Science (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Comets
Description: During this lesson, students have the opportunity to explore comets. By navigating the Internet, viewing a slideshow, and participating in a videoconference with NASA, students will discover what comets are all about.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 8)
Title: You WANT me to make a paper airplane?
Description: This lesson provides students with a hands-on, cooperative learning experience. Students will make paper airplanes. They will fly their planes and record the distance and time of numerous flights in an Excel spreadsheet. Students will then calculate the speed of each flight using the formula s=d/t and summarize their results by making a line graph.
Subject: Social Studies (7), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6 - 8)
Title: Whose Voice Guides Your Choice?
Description: In this one-two week unit, students explore the role media has in influencing public opinion. Students analyze advertising in print, video, and online formats. An optional visit to the Museum of Television and Radio via distance learning videoconferencing helps students examine the extent to which they are influenced by propaganda.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Advanced Features of Excel XP
Description: This lesson is designed to teach current Microsoft Excel users the new features in Excel XP and some advanced features of Excel. The teacher follows a detailed list of instructions to demonstrate the features. The students are then given an exercise to allow them some hands-on time to practice the features. This would be beneficial for a class that is beginning a project that will use Microsoft Excel to insure that all of the students are up to speed.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Once Upon A Time: Using a Fairy Tale to Teach the Elements of a Story
Description: Students will hear and read different versions of a familiar fairy tale and identify what elements a story must have (character, plot, setting) for the story to be interesting and make sense. Using a Venn diagram, students will then compare the differences and similarities between various versions of the story. Next, students in small groups will create their own versions of the story. Finally, students will also participate in a videoconference, "Fractured Fairy Tales", from the Museum of Television and Radio.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Family and Consumer Sciences Education (6 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Let's Make A Change
Description: A business marketing class and a family and consumer science class collaborate to redecorate the Oval Office for a newly-elected President from Alabama. One class researches the history of the Oval Office and the other supplies the measurements, colors, and furniture choices for the redecoration. A budget is prepared, a spreadsheet utilized, design boards made, and presentation projects created. (The lesson can be adapted for one class.)
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Arts Education (K - 1)
Title: What Is Your "Bat"itude?
Description: This lesson is for use at the beginning of a unit on bats to help determine students' previous knowledge about bats as well as their bat attitudes. Students will begin by drawing an illustration describing their feelings about bats. Students will then discuss what they know about bats. Finally, students will view factual information and interact with the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo through a virtual field trip, "Boo! I'm a Bat".
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: It's Great to be ME!
Description: This lesson addresses the similarities and differences among people. Incorporating the literature of Eric Carle and a virtual field trip focusing on healthy habits and the five senses, students will have a greater sense of their connection to each other.
Subject: Social Studies (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Exploring African Tribal Masks
Description: This lesson allows students to learn about a very important aspect of African culture. It features the use of technology for research and also hands-on experience in creating an African Mask. The lesson can be used as a part of a study of the history and development of African countries.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 12), Arts Education (9 - 12), Arts Education (6 - 12), English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Translating Short Stories into Original Short Films
Description: After reviewing the elements of the short story, students develop a script and storyboard from a published or original story. Students then film and edit a video of the story to present during a class film festival.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Math: Navigating the World Around Me
Description: Students often ask, "When will I ever use math?" In this lesson, students discover and explore mathematical procedures as they navigate the world around them. Careful reading of information and understanding of mathematical language are important to finding appropriate solutions. In groups, students will create their own realistic math story problems and demonstrate how to find the answer. Each group will present their findings by creating multimedia presentation.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: Too Much Paper; Too Few Trees?
Description: A common phrase that both teachers and students often hear when using paper is "there goes another tree." In this lesson, students will use various math skills to determine the number of trees we actually use as paper in a school year. Students will also create a clinometer to measure trees, use the Internet to research the paper-making process, and make paper.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Defending Personal Freedoms
Description: This lesson is an introduction to the Civil Rights Movement in American history. The social and political impact of the current events and key people who played an integral role during this era provide a wealth of insight into the driving forces that inspired human rights for all citizens of the United States.
Subject: Health Education (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Fire Safety
Description: This is a week-long fire safety unit. Students will learn fire safety procedures, what firefighters do, and the difference in fighting fires in schools, home, forests and on water. Internet games will reinforce fire safety knowledge.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Arts Education (6 - 8)
Title: Let's Celebrate in Her Honor
Description: In this lesson, students use the Internet to research influential women in history. Each student then chooses a woman worthy of having a holiday named in her honor and designs a slideshow presentation defending the choice.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: My Computer Alphabet Book
Description: During this lesson, students will use the computer to make an alphabet book using word processing software. Students will demonstrate their ability to list pictures with the same beginning sound as the letters of the alphabet and learn how to insert clip art and type words in a document.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Platonic Solids Ornaments
Description: This is a hands-on activity that introduces students to the five Platonic solids. Students will discover the special relationship between faces, vertices, and edges. Students will research the Platonic solids and then construct and decorate Platonic solids ornaments.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Science (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Butterfly Tales
Description: During this lesson, students will recall events from a story and describe the life cycle of the butterfly. Students will use their imaginations, writing, and computer skills to create a butterfly tale. They will discuss and integrate words that describe butterflies in their butterfly tale.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12), Social Studies (11), Technology Education (9 - 12), Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: The Roaring Twenties
Description: This activity involves comparing turn of the century music with the music from the Jazz Age. Students will listen to musical selections and analyze how the change in the music reflects the change in cultural attitudes. They will also work in groups to create their own radio shows.
Subject: Science (2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Is it a Moth or a Butterfly?
Description: During this lesson, students will explore the differences and similarities between a moth's life and a butterfly's life. Students will be given the opportunity to improve upon their note-taking skills during a virtual museum tour. Students will enhance their technology skills by designing slideshow presentations from information gathered on the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Hold Fast To Your Dreams: The Sound and Sense of Langston Hughes
Description: Students investigate poetry form as they research the life of Langston Hughes. They perform the lyrics of his poetry, participate in a distance learning program from Cleveland Institute of Music, and produce computer-generated brochures and booklets as they execute this lesson plan.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Leaders of Our School
Description: During the first weeks of school, students will be introduced to the administration and faculty within the school. Students will conduct an interview to determine the role of each individual in creating and maintaining a thriving learning environment. Using a digital camera and presentation software, students will record each interview, along with a digital photograph, of the school leader. Students will present the slideshow presentation during Open House. From this lesson, students will
better comprehend the importance of the leadership and teamwork within our school.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: Pictographs
Description: During this lesson, students will learn how to create a pictograph by collecting data and using pictures to represent the data. Students will have practice reading pictographs and will learn to create a pictograph using spreadsheet or software.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Kids Search In The Classroom
Description: This is a technology-based lesson that will focus on using the Kids Search database in the Alabama Virtual Library. Students will work in teams to access information about animals. This lesson will allow students to research a particular animal and write a report on the information they collected.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Summarizing Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Description: This is a hands-on lesson to introduce students to Patricia MacLachlan’s Sarah, Plain and Tall series. Students will discover urban life, how to make a timeline, and analyze literary elements while reading Sarah, Plain and Tall.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (3)
Title: Perimeter of Polygons
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to learn how to find the length, or perimeter of a polygon in real world tasks.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (7 - 8), Counseling and Guidance (K - 12), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Career Discovery: Preparing a Resume
Description: As part of a career discovery unit, middle school students examine the need to prepare a resume and the potential consequences of giving false information in a resume. Using an online resume wizard designed for middle schoolers, students prepare their first resume. This lesson can be broken into three smaller 30-minute lessons (Step 1, Steps 2-5, and Steps 6-7).
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (1 - 3)
Title: Multiplication Facts, Facts, Facts and Some Reese's Pieces for Snack!!
Description: This lesson teaches the basic math multiplication facts in a fun way so that students will want to remember them. Knowledge of all multiplication facts will help with learning subsequent skills in longer multiplication, division, fractions, etc.
Subject: Mathematics (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (2)
Title: What To Buy?
Description: During this lesson students get to experience shopping through a slide show. They have to choose an item and then place the correct amount of money beside the item they wish to purchase. Students also practice counting money via the Internet.
Subject: Science (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Five Senses
Description: In this lesson students discover the five senses through literature and the Internet. Student create a presentation to demonstrate the five senses. Students also become aware that not everyone has all five senses.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5)
Title: Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers
Description: During this technology based lesson, students learn how to add and subtract mixed numbers by exploring websites on the Internet. Students demonstrate their knowledge of fractions by participating in practice activities on the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Memories of the Great Depression
Description: This hands-on lesson combines social studies, language arts, and technology. Fourth grade students begin by researching and collecting information from a variety of sources. Students develop an appreciation of the difficulties endured by many people during the era of the Great Depression.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Social Studies (12), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Trading and Tracking Stock Portfolios Online
Description: Student teams will trade stocks and track the progress of their Alabama Stock Market Simulation portfolio by using spreadsheet software and the Internet. They will relate the information to a previous social studies unit on economics and will be utilizing math concepts they have learned. The Internet will be used to research stock trends.
Subject: Mathematics (6 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12)
Title: Golden Ratios of the Body, Architecture, and Nature
Description: Students will study the golden ratio as it relates to human body measurements, architecture, and nature. Students will use a desktop publishing program to create a poster. The poster will have digital photos of themselves, architecture samples, or nature examples. Students will also include a spreadsheet with the lengths, widths, and length/width ratios of the samples included in the photos.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: French Internet Clothes Shopping
Description: Students practice clothing vocabulary and computer spreadsheet skills by visiting authentic French online clothing catalogs. They choose articles of clothing for purchase for themselves and family members and create a spreadsheet to record and calculate information. They also visit a currency exchange rate website for the current rate of Euros to American dollars. This lesson could easily be used for any target language, once vocabulary for clothes, colors, and family relationships are mastered.
Subject: Social Studies (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Safe or Not Safe
Description: During this lesson, kindergarten students learn many safety rules by navigating different Internet sites. Students also view a presentation to help them learn safety rules around school.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: Happy Trails
Description: Math can be experienced everywhere and every day. During this lesson, students become active learners while discovering and sharing the mathematics existing in their everyday environment. Students explore the school and create mathematical problems using different concepts relating to what they find.
Subject: English Language Arts (11), Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (11)
Title: Depression or Oppression: "The Yellow Wallpaper" by C.P. Gilman
Description: In this lesson students research women's issues in the early 20th century and the attitude toward and treatment of mental illnesses then and now. The research complements the reading of "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Research provides the basis for a persuasive essay.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12), Counseling and Guidance (11)
Title: My Life Story
Description: This project-based activity allows students to demonstrate their proficiency in preparing a multimedia presentation as they reflect on their lives and their futures.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: We're Talking Baseball!
Description: During this lesson students use mathematical skills to determine baseball statistics. They can locate their favorite players' stats on the Internet and determine batting average and slugging percentage.
Subject: Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Robots in Space
Description: During this lesson students learn the history of robotics in space exploration. They use their creativity to develop a robot. They learn about different career opportunities by communicating with robot specialists at the Johnson Space Center through a video conference.
Subject: English Language Arts (8 - 9), English Language Arts (7 - 9), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Oral Presentation of Favorite Celebrity
Description: Using the Internet to research facts about a favorite celebrity, students gain the organizational and oral presentation skills needed to successfully deliver an effective speech and slideshow presentation.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: How Do You Measure Up?
Description: During this hands-on lesson, students use reasoning skills in making predictions and then applying skills to obtain accurate measurements. They navigate websites to practice their measuring skills. Students also get a brief overview of the history of measurement.
Subject: Arts Education (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Roman Arches
Description: Students will watch a slideshow presentation on Roman arches with followup discussions and activities focusing on the arch as it is used in architecture and art images. They will then create a collograph using an arch.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: Students Standing Tall
Description: During this lesson, students use data they collect from a class activity to find the mean, mode, median, and range. Students utilize the Internet as a source of information by viewing websites to learn how to find the mean, median, mode, and range of data.
Subject: English Language Arts (5 - 6), Mathematics (5 - 6), English Language Arts (5 - 6), Mathematics (5 - 6), Mathematics (5)
Title: Peanut/Peanut Butter
Description: During this lesson students navigate the Internet to learn about the accomplishments of George Washington Carver. Students explore the history of peanuts and sample different types of peanuts. They use their five senses to write a descriptive paper about making homemade peanut butter.
Subject: Mathematics (5), Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (3)
Title: How Old Is That Tree?
Description: One of the best ways to learn about a tree is to look at its annual rings. Tree rings show patterns of change in the tree's life as well as changes in the area where it grows. In this lesson, students will trace environmental changes using a cross- section of a tree trunk.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6)
Title: Personification in Poetry
Description: Students will explore the use of personification in published poetry and write a poem using personification. They will use clay animation to produce a short video of their poem.
Subject: Science (1)
Title: Arctic Adventures
Description: During this lesson, students will explore plant and animal life found at the Arctic Circle. They will also learn about the dangerously cold climate and the location of the Arctic Circle relative to the school's location on maps and globes.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Proper Noun Race
Description: During this lesson, students will review nouns and identify common and proper nouns in context. A short story will be written using both types of nouns. An interactive Internet site will be used to reinforce the lesson.
Subject: Social Studies (7)
Title: Democrat or Republican
Description: During this lesson, students will begin to understand the differences between the two major political parties that exist in the United States of America. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the roles of each presidential candidate and his/her political views.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (K - 1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: What's in a Name: Graphing Lesson
Description: During this lesson, students will learn to graph information. After reading, Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, students will discuss the length of their names. Students will learn to graph their names and compare their names to others.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Health Education (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Food Fit for a King?
Description: During this lesson, students will have the opportunity to interpret and create bar graphs to compare the nutritional values of fast food. Students will learn many skills during this lesson that will help them create graphs independently. The Internet will serve as a reference to help them learn to create graphs using a spreadsheet program.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 5), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (5), English Language Arts (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Let's Trade
Description: Dr. Seuss has created many classics that students love. During this lesson, students will get the opportunity to share their favorite Dr. Seuss book and favorite character with their class by creating a trading card. Students will use their creativity to develop a trading card on the computer. At the end of the lesson, students will trade their cards with their friends.
Subject: English Language Arts (K - 1), English Language Arts (K - 1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Label It!
Description: During this lesson, students will work to create word cards or "labels" to identify parts of the computer. Students will use basic letter sounds to help spell the correct words. Students will demonstrate their new knowledge by labeling parts of a computer.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Mixing Colors to Make Orange and Green
Description: This is a hands-on lesson using paints to mix colors. This lesson could be used when teaching a unit on color recognition and would follow lessons where the three primary colors had already been introduced. It utilizes an interactive website about colors.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: Multiplying With Nine As A Factor
Description: Students will participate in activities to help them learn to multiply with nine as a factor. Students will learn several strategies to memorize the multiples of nine through a multimedia presentation and practicing in groups. Finally, students will participate in activities on the computer and the Internet for practice as well as assessment.
Subject: Social Studies (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: A Monumental Idea
Description: This is a small-group project utilizing web research, cooperation, creativity and hands-on production in order to fully understand the impact of social reformers of the 19th century. Students will be responsible for building a monument in tribute to a social reformer. Monuments will be displayed in the library. A one-page typed summary will be turned in with the monument which explains the reformer's relevance and accomplishments, as well as why the group chose that person to memorialize. There must be an inscription identifying the monument.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Dividing Words Into Syllables to Develop Reading Fluency
Description: Students will develop reading fluency using vocabulary from the book Why Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ears by Leo and Diane Dillon. Students will participate in reading the story using the reader's theatre strategy. After being introduced to multiple-syllable words students, will practice building fluency by reading those words in the context of the story.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Computer Hunt
Description: This lesson is a technology-based project designed to demonstrate students' knowledge in keyboarding and Internet skills. It can be used as an assessment after a lesson on keyboarding and basic computer skills has been introduced.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6)
Title: How to Cite Online Resources and Complete Bibliographic Citations
Description: After research in the Alabama Virtual Library, students will write a paragraph essay and use an online citation utility to create bibliographic citations for an online encyclopedia, an online magazine, and a print resource. Copying and pasting the URL address, students will use word processing to create a bibliography.
Subject: Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Mystery Powder Investigation
Description: During this lesson, students will work individually to identify a mystery powder. Students will have the opportunity to test known powders with different substances and record observations. Students will develop a plan that can be used to identify the mystery powder (which can be one powder or a mixture of 2 or 3 powders). Students will enjoy exploring the mystery powder to determine what it contains.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Is Laura "Sitting" in the "Setting" of "Little House?"
Description: Using Little House In The Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder, this lesson focuses on the concept of time and place, phonics, and comprehension strategies. It is an interactive lesson with classroom dialogue and small group interaction.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1 - 2), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: My Favorite Time of Day
Description: This is a hands-on mathematics lesson for telling time to the hour. Students will use individual clocks with partners for guided practice. The assessment will be a writing/drawing activity incorporating the use of a computer for word processing purposes.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Going Batty
Description: Students will participate in a research project about bats, which will culminate in a virtual field trip to discover more about bats. Students will collect information on the Internet using the Alabama Virtual Library and other bookmarked sites. This is a collaborative project involving the library media specialist and the classroom teacher.
Subject: Science (5), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Who Sank the Boat?
Description: This lesson teaches the concept of measurement using grams and ounces through a student-created experiment. The students will get to test their own scientific predictions by constructing a boat and trying to sink it. This lesson provides students with an interactive way to learn about weight and buoyancy.
Subject: Social Studies (1), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Little House
Description: During this lesson, students will actively listen to the story, The Little House, and determine the sequence of events. This lesson will be used to help students differentiate between natural changes and man-made changes in environments over time. The students will use word processing software to write about the little house's feelings. The students will also create their own little house.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Phonological Awareness/Beginning Sounds
Description: During this lesson students will develop phonological awareness through activities that focus on beginning sounds. Students will go on a scavenger hunt, make a picture book, and play games on the Internet in order to help them learn to identify beginning sounds.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Phonological Awareness/Rhyming
Description: During this lesson students will be introduced to rhyme in a variety of ways. Students will use picture cards, practice rhyming on the Internet, and listen to a book with rhyme. At the end of the lesson, student should be able to recognize rhyming words.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3), English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3)
Title: A Math and Language Arts lesson: Introduction to Division
Description: The lesson will help students develop an initial understanding of division and clarify how the four operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division relate to and are separate from each other. The lesson begins with a brainstorming discussion which builds background and fosters comprehension. A big book, The Doorbell Rang, by Pat Hutchins, is used along with manipulatives to provide instruction at concrete and pictorial levels. Students will demonstrate what they have learned by writing a short story incorporating simple division.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Our Solar System
Description: This is an introductory lesson for a unit on the solar system. Students will identify the order and characteristics of the nine planets. Cooperative learning groups, consisting of two students, will research information on a given planet via the Internet, encyclopedias, books, etc. Students will use the knowledge gained to write a descriptive paragraph about a designated planet.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4)
Title: Echolocation Stations: Exploring Sound
Description: During this lesson students will have the opportunity to explore sound. This lesson should be taught during an ongoing unit about whales. Students will navigate different websites to learn more about whales and sound. This lesson is interactive and students will do different experiments to learn about sound.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: The Giving Tree
Description: During this lesson, students will learn important facts about trees. They will also learn the importance of friendships. The students will listen to the story, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, and create a chart of events that take place in the story. The students will navigate a website to learn how to protect trees and how trees help us.
Subject: Science (1), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Fun-Loving Frogs
Description: During this lesson students will use their imaginations and writing skills to write a story from a wordless picture book, Tuesday, by David Wiesner. They will work in pairs and write text to go along with the pictures. They will also view a website to learn facts about frogs.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Cookies and Rhyme
Description: This lesson will help students reinforce reading readiness skills (rhyming) with a chant and activities. After reading the story,Who Took The Cookies From The Cookie Jar, the students will recite the word that rhymes with a word from the line in the story. A puppet activity and Internet games will reinforce rhyming skills.
Subject: Mathematics (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (2)
Title: Tell Time to the Hour and Minute
Description: This lesson will teach students how to tell time by allowing them to use manipulative clocks and navigating the Internet. The students will even create their own clock to take home and demonstrate what they learned to their parents.
Subject: Social Studies (6), English Language Arts (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Christopher Paul Curtis and His Books: Bud, Not Buddy and The Watson's Go to Birmingham
Description: This interdisciplinary lesson on two books by C.P. Curtis features students in one classroom (or group) reading one of the books while the other class (or group) reads the other novel. Each class then divides into groups and researches the time period of its novel and develops presentations designed to encourage the reading of the second novel. These presentations are then presented to the other class.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Famous African-Americans
Description: During this unit students will study the lives of famous African-Americans who have had an impact upon history or present day society. This interdisciplinary hands-on unit will incorporate the subjects of social studies, reading, language arts, and technology. After studying African-Americans and viewing a presentation,
students will select (or be assigned) a person to research, write a biographical sketch about, and then create a newsletter depicting facts from that person's life. The entire unit will cover a two- to three-week period.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), Arts Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Arts Education (6 - 8)
Title: Brian's Winter by Gary Paulson: Using Art to Study Plot
Description: In this interdisciplinary lesson, students examine the artwork in Lasceaux Cave in France via Internet and illustrate a chapter summary from Brian's Winter by Gary Paulson in "caveman style."
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 7), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6 - 7)
Title: The Camelot Times: Writing a Newspaper
Description: As part of a unit on Arthurian literature and medieval culture, students imagine they are reporters living in the realm of King Arthur and create newsletters/newspapers based on their study and research.
Subject: Arts Education (6), Character Education (K - 12), Counseling and Guidance (6), English Language Arts (6), Career Technologies (6 - 8), Family and Consumer Sciences Education (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Arts Education (6 - 8)
Title: This Business Called Learning: Advertising
Description: After analyzing the techniques of propaganda in commercial advertising, students work in cooperative "business" groups to create an advertising campaign for a new product called Giggle Gum. Campaigns include a press release, slideshow presentation, print ad, and radio commercial.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: I Know What I Am... but, What Are You? (Classifying Living Things)
Description: During this lesson students will develop an understanding of how to classify living things and what creates the distinction among them. They will learn to classify living things by effects, environment, and activity.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Helen Who?
Description: In this lesson, students will be introduced to the contributions of Helen Keller. The students will learn about Helen Keller through research on the Internet, a book, and a role-playing exercise.
Subject: Arts Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Warm, Cool, Warm, Cool
Description: During this lesson, colors will become more meaningful to students. They will learn to recognize that certain colors make them have different feelings. They will begin to understand that colors can be use to create emotions. Students will have the opportunity to create a collage out of warm and cool colors. They will also be able to create a work of art on the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Pass the Punctuation, Please!
Description: During this lesson students will listen to the story, Noisy Nora by Rosemary Wells and identify punctuation used in the story. Students will also play games to strengthen knowledge of punctuation usage. They will then use the Internet to practice what they learn during this lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Nifty Nouns
Description: This lesson will introduce students to nouns. Students will practice identifying nouns in a book and on the Internet. A noun quilt will be created at the end of the lesson to demonstrate students' understanding of nouns.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Edible Edits
Description: During this lesson students will listen to the story Max's Wacky Taxi Day by Max Grover and edit capitalization and punctuation taken from the story. The students will have the opportunity to practice their new skills by working on the Internet.
Subject: Science (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Crowding Animals- How Close is Too Close?
Description: In this lesson students will explore the concept of crowding as it relates to people and animals. The main purpose of this lesson is for students to recognize the possible negative consequences to people and animals as a result of crowding.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), Science (2)
Title: The Water Cycle
Description: This lesson will let students have a hands-on experience with the water cycle. They will learn the different parts of the water cycle through experiments and exploring the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6)
Title: Presenting the Eight Parts of Speech
Description: This end-of-unit lesson involves group slideshow presentations on the definitions and functions of the eight parts of speech.
Subject: Mathematics (K - 1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Congruent Figures
Description: This lesson is an introduction to a unit about congruent shapes. Students will begin by listening to a book about shapes. They will then complete several hands-on activities, including sorting shapes, using their bodies to form congruent shapes, and using activities on the Internet to practice forming congruent shapes.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Edible Alabama and Her Agricultural Resources
Description: This is a great culminating activity after a unit study on the natural resources of the state of Alabama. Students will investigate some of Alabama's agricultural resources and create a multimedia presentation about one of them or recipe brochure featuring Alabama resources. Students will then decorate cookies that have been cut into the shape of Alabama, with various food items to represent the agricultural resources found in Alabama.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Shapes in the Classroom
Description: This lesson will teach students to identify solid figures found in the classroom and in magazines. Students will also learn more about solid figures using the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 6), Social Studies (4 - 6), English Language Arts (4 - 6), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Who Will Be President?
Description: This lesson will allow students to experience the election process of an American President through a mock election. Students will learn the steps that must be followed in order to have an election. This is a great way to get students motivated to be involved in the election process.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Historic Indian Tribes of Alabama
Description: This lesson will focus on researching, analyzing, and comparing the culture of four Indian tribes from Alabama's history. The rich culture of the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Indian tribes contributed to the rich history of Alabama. Collaborative research in small groups will culminate in presenting knowledge with a variety of visual and oral presentations.
Subject: Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K)
Title: Counting Backward from Ten
Description: Students will be introduced in this lesson to the concept of orally counting backward from ten using a book, number cards, and the Internet.
Subject: Social Studies (11)
Title: Making History Personal
Description: This lesson fosters an understanding of a major event in American history. It uses this event to guide students into research of how the event affected an 'ordinary' person's life. Each student will be responsible for interviewing someone who remembers the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (8)
Title: "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
Description: By linking the experiences of the character Charlie Gordon to other characters and to themselves, students demonstrate through class discussion and journal writing their understanding and interpretation of the short story "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes.
Subject: Mathematics (2 - 3), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1 - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Lucky Charms Graphs
Description: This culminating lesson will use Lucky Charms cereal for review of sorting, counting, tally marks, and graphing. This is a fun and tasty way for students to learn about math.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (6 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 12), Arts Education (9 - 12), Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: Oral Presentations on French Impressionism
Description: Students research and present an artist from the period of French Impressionism. Presentations include a biography and examples of the artist's work. After the presentations, students produce sidewalk chalk paintings.
Subject: Social Studies (10 - 11)
Title: Notable American Female Social Reformers
(Mid 1850s-Early 1900s)
Description: This lesson will utilize the Internet to explore some of the more notable
female social reformers in the United States from the mid-1850s to the early 1900s. Ideas for this lesson could include individual, group, or peer-to-peer investigation. The selection of the more notable women was choosen from Passing the New Alabama High School Graduation Examination in Social Studies (American Book Company).
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: USA--State Facts
Description: During this technology-based lesson, fifth grade students explore different states by locating information on the Internet. Students use the information they find and create a presentation to help their classmates learn about the states.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Three-Digit Subtraction
Description: This lesson uses technology and literature to teach subtraction of three-digit numbers, including subtraction across zeros.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: ABC Book of Fauna
Description: This lesson is to provide students the opportunity to explore the various types of fauna (animals) found in the various biomes throughout the world.
Subject: Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: What's The Weather Like?
Description: Students will use the Internet to compare the weather forecast for their city with other cities throughout the United States each week during this unit. Data will be charted for a five-day period then analyzed and discussed.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Rumpelstiltskin by the Grimm Brothers: A Reading and Writing Lesson
Description: This lesson provides literature-based reading and writing activities for special education and early elementary students. Using a simple story, special education/early elementary students develop reading and writing skills and learn about honesty, thoughtfulness, greed, promise-keeping and fairness. A persuasive letter will demonstrate what they have learned.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Why Roots, Stems, and Leaves are Important
Description: This lesson emphasizes the importance of roots, stems, and leaves to plants. Students will explore Internet sites and do a hands-on experiment to learn facts about these parts of plants.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Numerator/Denominator Introduction
Description: This is an introductory lesson on numerators and denominators. Students will have the opportunity to practice dividing using hands-on activities.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Arts Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Class Portrait: An Anthology In Words and Pictures
Description: Students will use a digital camera and word processor to produce an illustrated anthology of original poetry.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The American Spy in Me
Description: This is a fun and innovative lesson that will allow students to travel through history in a most unique fashion. Through Internet research and video conferencing students will get a real blast from the past. Students will hold on to their seats as they travel back in history in order to learn about colonial espionage and spy rings. Students will enjoy reenacting history with themselves as the main characters. This lesson will help foster a better understanding of the American Revolution and the sacrifices made by our great patriots.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), Science (K), Mathematics (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: What's Inside a Pumpkin?
Description: As part of a study on pumpkins, students will discover what's inside a pumpkin by observing a pumpkin, making individual booklets, and tasting baked pumpkin seeds.
Subject: Social Studies (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Producers and Consumers
Description: This lesson will teach the difference between producers and consumers. It provides an interactive way for students to get involved and actually become producers and consumers.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Expository Essay: State Trip
Description: After researching a place/event of interest in Alabama, students write a five-paragraph essay. Students include maps and written directions to the location, describe activities and/or events associated with this location, include in this profile.
Subject: Arts Education (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Teaching Art with Picture Books
Description: In this lesson, students will observe the work of artist Eric Carle, investigate the life of an illustrator, and make their own three-dimensional art project using tissue paper and paint.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 5), Social Studies (4 - 5), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Underground Railroad
Description: The Underground Railroad of the 1800's inspired talented writers of all ages. This lesson will integrate some of these famous writings to encourage students to develop their questioning techniques for analysis of literature while furthering their knowledge of this era in American history. As an extension of this study, students will create a class quilt to illustrate the depth of their research.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (4)
Title: Let's Graph
Description: This lesson can be implemented during a study of different types of graphs that are used to display and organize data. Students collect and display data in a bar graph.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Character Education (K - 12), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Never, Ever Give Up!
Description: This lesson plan introduces the importance of perseverance.
Students will discover that success comes through perseverance. Students will also have the opportunity to research Abraham Lincoln on the Internet to document examples of perseverance.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Website Evaluation
Description: Utilizing a graphic organizer, students work individually and in groups to rank websites according to specific criteria.
Subject: Arts Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Critiquing Art
Description: Students will begin to understand that being an critiquing art is not about what one likes or dislikes, but rather if the art makes sense or makes a statement. Students will learn how to use the vocabulary of the Elements and Principles of Design when discussing art.
Subject: Arts Education (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Ambiguous Pictures/Abstract Art
Description: In this lesson students learn how perspective can change the meaning of art. The students will use a digital camera to take extreme close-ups of objects, thus causing the pictures to become resemble abstract art. This project incorporates art, writing and technology.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Things Are Not Always What They Seem
Description: In this lesson, students will make a chromatogram of different types of ink. Paper chromatography will be used to detect the different dyes used in the ink. This lesson can be used for both Physical Science and Chemistry classes.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (4), English Language Arts (4), Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Rabbit Tales
Description: During this lesson students will be exposed to different types of writing. Students will have the opportunity to create their own story based on the characteristics of the literature they have read. Students will also learn the history of trickster tales and their significance.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2), Technology Education (K - 2), Arts Education (K), Mathematics (K - 1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Tantalizing Tangrams
Description: This is an introductory lesson using tangrams. Students will observe the seven geometric shapes that make up the tangram in a variety of ways that exhibit spatial relationships. They will have hands-on experiences using these tangrams to create new shapes. Finally, they will try to make the seven shapes form a square.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Think, Write, Read: Expository Writing
Description: While this lesson's main focus will be centered on expository writing, it will also integrate reading, computer and organizational skills. After reading the novel, Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, students will write an expository paper explaining why Marty, one of the characters in the book, dislikes Judd Travers, who is another character. Finally, students will present their papers to the class.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Finding Information Using the Internet
Description: In this lesson students learn how to use the Internet to find driving directions and maps. Students will locate the street address of a financial institution and generate a map with driving directions from home or school. Students will then research the financial institutions to determine what types of services are offered by each and compile the information using a spreadsheet.
Subject: Family and Consumer Sciences Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Embroidery Design
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to locate and download designs for the electronic embroidery machine in order to complete the alteration of a garment.
Subject: Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Skeletal System
Description: This lesson is designed to teach children about the skeletal system. Children will learn about the different bones that make up the body and be able to identify those bones. Students will have the opportunity to navigate the Internet to learn more about the skeleton.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Line of Symmetry
Description: During this lesson, students will use a hands-on method to identify lines of symmetry. Each student will create individual lines of symmetry by using their name. Creations are unique and individualized for each student. Students will also learn more details about lines of symmetry by navigating the Internet. Students will do online activities to reinforce what they have learned about lines of symmetry.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Creek War Journals
Description: After a study of the Creek War, students will explore perspectives of families on both sides of the war. Students will compose journal entries from a selected social class of the era to develop and exhibit an understanding and appreciation for lives led by those who lived during the early 1800's.
Subject: English Language Arts (1 - 2), English Language Arts (1 - 2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: I Am Poems
Description: Students will write and illustrate I Am poems. An I Am poem is an 18-line, three-stanza poem which students write about themselves, or a real or fictitious character. When all students have presented their poems to their classmates, the poems will be compiled in a booklet and shared with others.
Subject: Social Studies (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Revolutionary War Patriots and Loyalists
Description: Students are assigned a prominent man or woman of the American Revolutionary War. The students will write a two-page report, create a poster person, and then present their research to the class in first person.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (K), English Language Arts (K)
Title: Celebrating Seuss!
Description: In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday students will explore and develop a love of the literature of Dr. Seuss through read-alouds and activities such as a birthday party, rhyming word matching, and graphing.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: What a Character!
Description: This lesson opens up the world of writing by introducing students to the point of view in a story. Students will have the opportunity to read a new version of a classic story and see how it changes when it is written from another character's point of view. Students will have the opportunity to create their own story from another character's point of view.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Writing Native American Style
Description: In this lesson students will reinforce their knowledge about Native Americans and their culture. They will also be introduced to Native American writing. The students will read The Legend of The Indian Paintbrush by Tomie de Paolo to aid their learning. Finally, students will create their own writing using Native American pictographs.
Subject: Arts Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: Digital Alphabet
Description: In this technology-based visual arts lesson, students find letters of the alphabet in objects made from nature. For example: veins of a leaf to make the "v," a fallen tree in front of another to make the letter "x," ground erosion to make the letter "y". Through digital photography and basic computer skills students create their own digital "natural" alphabet.
Subject: Mathematics (5 - 6), Mathematics (5 - 6), Mathematics (5 - 6)
Title: Fractions and Recipes
Description: This is a lesson used to show how fractions are used in everyday life. Students will use the knowledge they have about fractions to change a recipe to accommodate different amounts of people. Students will enjoy navigating the Internet to locate a recipe. Students will also have the opportunity to make the recipe in class and share it with their friends.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (K - 5), English Language Arts (1 - 3), Mathematics (1 - 2), Mathematics (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: It's Your Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Description: This lesson plan is intended to be used during the month of March when the class is preparing to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day. After listening to and reading different stories by Dr. Seuss, the students have opportunities to compare and contrast story elements through critical thinking and Venn diagrams.
Subject: English Language Arts (5 - 6), English Language Arts (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Sandwich Story Starters
Description: These simple activities actively reinforce the importance of writing a story that is complete: one that has a good, solid beginning; a middle of substance, detail, and high interest; and a satisfying ending.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: All About Clouds
Description: This lesson uses hands-on activities and trade books along with websites to explain the formation of clouds. This lesson may be used in conjunction with a weather unit.
Subject: Science (1)
Title: Bubble Bubble
Description: This lesson will help young students understand the shape and movement of bubbles. Students will predict, practice, and record results as they blow bubbles with different-shaped objects.
Subject: Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Political Cartoon Analysis
Description: Students will review and discuss how to evaluate the symbols and related meanings of political cartoons. The project will involve analyzing a current political cartoon, determining its meaning, and presenting the information to the class.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: How Do Magnets Work?
Description: During this lesson students will examine magnets and determine that they have two poles (north and south). They will observe which poles attract and which poles repel.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Shake, Rattle, and Roll
Description: Over time, volcanoes all over the world have caused the earth to change. Using various activities, research, and dynamic media, students will discover what causes volcanoes to erupt. They will learn different volcanic shapes and how volcanoes are predicted.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7)
Title: Modeling and Adding Integers Using Numbers Lines and Counters
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to enable students to add integers and apply this lesson to real life situations. In this lesson students will model and add integers using number lines and counters through the use of technology-based resources. Hands-on activities and class discussions will enhance and reinforce the objectives.
Subject: Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K)
Title: Fishy Addition!
Description: In this lesson, students will use manipulatives to act out and solve simple addition problems.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6)
Title: Shake ‘n Go Fractions
Description: This lesson is designed for cooperative groups. Students will use a computer tutorial to practice computing equivalent fractions and then will apply what they have learned to adjust a recipe for a tasty snack.
Subject: Science (K - 1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: My Book of Seasons
Description: During this technology based lesson, students produce a book of the four seasons that relates to their everyday life. They learn many facts about seasons by navigating the Internet.
Subject: Science (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Lost in Space – A Solar System Study
Description: During this technology based lesson, students navigate the Internet to learn interesting information about the solar system. They use the information to complete a worksheet and to create a puzzle or challenge for their classmates.
Subject: Science (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Exploring Plant Leaves
Description: During this lesson, first grade students become plant explorers. They explore the Internet and take a nature walk to learn the similarities and differences in plants and leaves.
Subject: Science (5), Mathematics (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Light, Dry and Nutritious - A Look at Dehydrated Food
Description: This is a hands-on, inquiry-based activity that involves study and exploration of dehydration and dehydrated foods. Students are actively involved in using math and science skills.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (4 - 5)
Title: My Math Curse!
Description: Math is a part of our everyday life. Fifth grade students discover how math can help us at home, the store, etc. By exploring the Internet, students practice solving problems they may encounter in life. Their imagination is the limit when they create their own real life problems for their friends to solve.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (3 - 12)
Title: Body Parts auf Deutsch
Description: This lesson is good for first-year students learning the German words for body parts. Using music and the Internet, students will practice vocabulary and pronunciation.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Let's Write A Cinquain
Description: During this lesson, third grade students will navigate the Internet to learn about cinquains. They will use their new knowledge to create their own cinquains while learning important word processing skills.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (6 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Greeting Exchange auf Deutsch
Description: This is a great "first day of first-year German" activity. Using the melody to "Are You Sleeping" introduce students to a typical exchange of greetings. If taught on the first day of school, students will be able to "speak German" immediately.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Pendulums Swing Into Motion
Description: This lesson will allow students in groups to describe the relationship between energy, work, and force through the use of pendulums. The results will be reported through a graphing activity as well as a paragraph written and printed on the computer.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: What are Fossils?
Description: In this lesson students will view fossils and learn about the way they are found and how they show evidence of prehistoric life. Students will then search for "fossils" and conduct an interview about how fossils are found. Students will utilize a graphic organizer to web their ideas on fossils.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Retelling is Fun! Retelling Activities for The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to get students involved with retelling activities, including writing a narrative and dramatic play.
Subject: Arts Education (K), Technology Education (K - 2), Arts Education (K)
Title: We’re A Rainbow of Children
Description: In this lesson, students will learn to identify colors. The students will have the opporunity to explore colors by listening to a book, working on computers, singing songs and viewing colors on the Internet.
Subject: Mathematics (8), Mathematics (8)
Title: The Real Number System
Description: This lesson focuses on a clear understanding of the real number system by using a variety of teaching strategies. A graphic organizer on a slideshow illustrates how the classifications of numbers relate. A kinesthetic activity helps students compare the classifications.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12)
Title: Health Expressions auf Deutsch
Description: The lyrics to a song provide help for beginner German students to learn and recall some common German health expressions. Since it to the melody of "This is the Song That Never Ends."
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Science (4 - 5), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Systems Every "body" Needs to Know
Description: This lesson is designed to allow students to explore the human body through a WebQuest with Internet and multimedia resources provided for research. Students will create a cell diagram, write a letter, and create a slideshow presentation to demonstrate knowledge of the subject and appropriate use of technology.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Motion in One Dimension
Description: This hands-on exercise allows students to view and calculate the various factors involved in one-dimensional motion. Students will use remote control vehicles to illustrate the linear motion. Students will use the information gathered from the motion of the remote control vehicles to solve various equations for velocity, acceleration, distance traveled, or time. Students will then represent the relationships between these factors graphically.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Separation of a Mixture
Description: Students will use their knowledge of physical properties to separate a mixture of four ingredients. The students are required to design their own laboratory procedure for separating the mixture. The separation process itself encourages mastery of several laboratory techniques.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Shopping for a Place Value!
Description: During this lesson, students will have the opportunity to explore the world of rounding. Students will use the real estate market to help them learn how to round to the nearest hundred thousand. Students will get to create their own real estate advertisement and navigate the Internet to learn about rounding.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (K - 1)
Title: Zoo Animals
Description: This theme unit on animals includes activities that can be used in centers or in a whole-group setting. A variety of subject areas are addressed with emphasisis on the use of technology.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Phonemic Awareness with Technology
Description: This lesson allows students to use the Internet to manipulate words by changing initial sounds. Students will use computer skills while learning how to change words by changing the initial sound.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5)
Title: HeartLine Express
Description: During this lesson, students will plan and execute a week-long school-wide valentine sales business. From the Grand Plan to job applications, interviews, valentine production, advertising, sales and profits students are immersed in the job experience and using a variety of math skills.
Subject: Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Flight of the Bumblebee
Description: This unit will allow students to explore the world of plants and bees. Students will have the opportunity to observe plant growth, preform a plant life cycle play, and work on a multimedia presentation during this unit. The students will utilize the Internet to collect information about plants and bees during this lesson. This unit is a fun and interactive way for students to gain knowledge about plants and bees.
Subject: Family and Consumer Sciences Education (7 - 8)
Title: Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy
Description: In this lesson, students evaluate their eating habits, focusing on the ways in which one can assess whether or not his or her diet is nutritious. Students will work in small groups to design a menu for a healthy lunch and write a paragraph justifying their choices.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Counseling and Guidance (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Bullying
Description: Students sometimes find themselves in situations where they are uncomfortable and uncertain in relating to difficult peers. This lesson is designed to equip students with information they need not only to identify bullies, but to develop strategies to combat them.
Subject: Social Studies (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: A Look at Our Natural Environment
Description: During this lesson students will have the opportunity to research, analyze, and collect data on how the natural environment influenced the Native Americans long ago, and how it still influences us today. Using information gathered from the Internet, each student group will create a multimedia presentation and share it with the class.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3)
Title: Math in Everyday Life
Description: In this lesson students will solve word problems involving time and money, focusing on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and fractions. The students will also work with a partner to make up their own word problems and then gain practice solving word problems using various Internet sites.
Subject: Science (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: At Home in a Biome
Description: This lesson allows students to study and learn the names and characteristics of Earth's six major biomes. The biomes are introduced with a slideshow presentation. A paper-folding poster activity gives students the opportunity to reinforce what they have learned. The culminating activity, a diorama, provides an avenue for creativity as students create a three-dimensional model of a biome.
Subject: Science (K), English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Hush Down Under
Description: During this lesson students will listen to a read-aloud of Possum Magic, by Mem Fox. Students will then help the teacher search the Internet for Australian connections (animals and habitats). The students will write in their journals about Australian animals, then the class will create a class book to remember the information they learn during the lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Quotations and Commas
Description: During this lesson students will have the opportunity to learn the proper way to use quotations and commas. They will view information on the Internet and participate in online activities to help them master this concept.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Writing Poems that Rhyme
Description: This lesson uses technology in the presentation and publication of student poems. A slideshow examples of poems that rhyme and practice poems to finish with the students. It also outlines and models the steps of the writing process used to write a poem. The students may publish their poems by typing them on a slide and/or a newsletter template.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Phonics Lesson: The ir, er, and ur Girls
Description: This phonics lesson will introduce the ir, er, and ur girls, but will focus on the /er/ sound. Students will learn that when found together the letters e and r make the /er/ sound instead of two separate sounds. Students will have the opportunity to make words with "er" on a dry erase board (or AlphaSmart) and will reinforce the lesson on the Internet.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3)
Title: Let's Go Spreadsheet Silly
Description: In this lesson students will become familiar with spreadsheets. They will learn how to collect and input data into a spreadsheet and how to create graphs from the spreadsheet data.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Social Studies (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Settling the West: Westward Expansion
Description: During this lesson, students will have the opportunity to experience the westward expansion through literature and the Internet. By creating a brochure and a slideshow presentation, students will become aware of the difficulties people faced through their travels.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 6), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Using Vivid Adjectives
Description: This upper elementary lesson focuses on the use of vivid adjectives to enhance student writing. Students will explore vivid adjectives in a variety of activities including thesaurus use and story development software.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Wandering Alabama
Description: This lesson is a fun fact gathering mission! Alabama is rich in history, museums, natural and manmade attractions, and some just plain wacky attractions. Students will work in collaborative groups to create a guide to sites in Alabama with descriptions, map locations, expenses involved, and other useful information. Come on! Let's explore Alabama!
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Ein Mann zu Viel
Description: In this lesson designed for second semester of German 3/4, students will read a short story Ein Mann zu Viel, review vocabulary, discuss chapters and then recreate the story by making a video adaptation of the story. Students may alter the ending of the story to make it more interesting.
Subject: Science (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Is my Water Safe?
Description: After a discussion of what makes water safe or unsafe, students will visit a local tributary, test the water, and complete tasks concerning the water. This lesson is designed for a 6th, 7th, and 8th grade gifted education enrichment classes.
Subject: Science (4), Arts Education (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: How Are Rainbows Created?
Description: Students will discover how the rays of the sun produce colors. In addition, students will learn how water causes the sun's rays to bend, producing rainbows. Students will also explore rainbows by navigating the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Meet Miss E
Description: Students will be introduced to the letter E. They will learn both the long and short vowel sound, as well as learn to recognize the capital and lowercase letter. They will also put Miss E in the middle of two consonants to sound out one syllable words. They will learn through different types of literature and the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (8)
Title: I Am a Fish
Description: This cross-curricular lesson combines research on an ecological issue with creative writing. After conducting research on an important environmental issue, students will present their findings from a different point of view.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Let's Get to Know Big Al
Description: During this lesson the students will read and discuss the story Big Al, by Andrew Clements. Students will identify the story elements of Big Al and complete a story element map. Students will also do a character analysis of Big Al.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (3)
Title: Mysterious Matter
Description: During this lesson, students will have the opportunity to create a mysterious substance. They will use experiments to try to determine the state of matter of various substances. This lesson is a fun, hands-on way to get students excited about matter.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Reisefieber - A German Radio Mini-Play
Description: This is an online German Radio program for students studying German. It would work best for German 3 or 4 students. It is also recommended this be read over a semester's time period.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: African-American Scientists and Inventors
Description: Besides George Washington Carver, what other African-Americans made contributions to American life? The class will explore the careers of famous and not-so-famous African-American scientists and inventors. Also, they will plan and present a slideshow on five of these individuals and explain why each is significant.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12)
Title: Gas Pressure
Description: This lesson is a demonstration lecture that defines gas pressure in terms of force, explains how pressure is measured, and defines and converts units of pressure. Students will create a slide show presentation on a gas and its uses in science, medicine, or technology.
Subject: Health Education (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Ah-Choo!!!
Description: An infectious disease is the breakdown in the structure or function of a living organism. In this lesson, seventh grade science students will discover that diseases can be caused by many different factors. Students will research an infectious disease and create an informative brochure to demonstrate what they have learned.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Dewey Decimal Classification System Mural
Description: Students will select a book from an assigned section in the non-fiction area of the library. After reading the books, students will write a paragraph that summarizes the content area of the book. Students will illustrate the book that they read. Students will construct a mural by gluing their illustrations under the corresponding Dewey Decimal Classification. Students will make an oral presentation to the class in which they talk about the book they read.
Subject: Science (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Wet Heads
Description: The lesson will enable students to complete a lesson of scientific inquiry and use the steps in the scientific method to solve a problem. Students will determine the amount of water drops needed to cover the heads of various coins, including a penny, nickel, dime, and quarter.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12)
Title: Foreign Language Semester or Chapter Review
Description: This is an easy way to review for foreign language semester exams at any level using a number of hands-on and interactive activities, including some which are technology-based. This could also be adapted to chapter tests. The lesson is recommended for classrooms with 3 or more computers. Students will circulate to various stations, which can be adapted to the content being studied.
Subject: Health Education (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs
Description: This lesson will concentrate on the differences between drug abuse and drug misuse, effects of drugs on the body, and effects of alcohol and tobacco on the body.
Subject: Social Studies (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Mexico
Description: In this lesson, students explore Mexico by navigating the Internet and reading a variety of literature. Traditions, holidays, clothing, etc., of Mexico will be compared to American culture. A newsletter creates a way for students to share and educate family members about Mexico.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
Description: This lesson covers chiral molecules, which are important in carbohydrate and protein chemistry. Understanding the difference in their structures helps with understanding the different biochemical properties of molecules with similar structures. In this lesson, students will be introduced to chirality through a teacher-led multimedia presentation and demonstrations. In cooperative groups, students will then study the concepts in more depth, building molecular models and producing their own slide shows for the class. Different groups within each class will cover different aspects of chirality, with the whole class completing a presentation of the material in the unit.
Subject: Health Education (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Hypertension: The Silent Killer
Description: In this lesson, students will learn how high blood pressure can affect the body without one being aware of it. Using the Internet, students will learn causes, preventive measures, and treatment plans. Students will learn how lifestyle and heredity impacts high blood pressure.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8), Science (8)
Title: What burns when a candle burns?
An Introduction to Using the Scientific Method
Description: In this hands-on lesson, the class is divided into small groups and required to use the scientific method to discover what burns in a candle and why. The steps reinforce this methodical approach to solving what initially appears to be a simple question. In this exercise, students will use the scientific method to discover the purpose of a candle's wick and how radiation allows candle wax to change from solid to liquid to gas, thus allowing the wicking action necessary for combustion to occur.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (K)
Title: Science Egg Experiment
Description: Students will participate in a hands-on activity that will determine which egg is easier to break, a hard boiled egg or a raw egg. Students will be introduced to the concept of hypothesizing and will be active participants in a simple science experiment. Using visual learning software, students will summarize the activities.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Very Quiet Cricket
Description: During this lesson, students will write a sequel to The Very Quiet Cricket. The students will discuss and demonstrate the use of personification in the story. The class will also complete a WebQuest about The Very Quiet Cricket.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3)
Title: Cookie Monster Fraction Math
Description: Using cookies, students will learn parts of a whole. This is a hands-on, technology based lesson. Students will not only learn fractional parts of a whole, but will be able to eat the cookie when lesson is complete.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Dialogue with Student-Created Characters
Description: This lesson is designed to help students understand the importance of character development when writing stories of their own. It also helps them understand the process authors use when writing novels and other stories. During this lesson students will develop detailed, realistic dialogue between characters.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Bridging Cultural Gaps
Description: In a semester-long project, foreign language students begin a penpal correspondence exchange with a student from another country. Through this exchange, students gain a greater insight into the culture and language of another country, improve their communication skills in the target language, and compare their lives to those of students their own ages in another country by discussing common topics.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Getting Into "Shape"
Description: Through observation and hands on activity, students identify plane shapes that make up geometric solids (space shapes).
Subject: Science (2)
Title: Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Description: This lesson focuses on solids, liquids, and gases. It has several review activities and an exciting lab experiment involving ice cream to complete the lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Action Words are Verbs
Description: This activity challenges students to identify action words as verbs. The students will go on a verb scavenger hunt and play charades using action words. They will also utilize the Internet to reinforce what they have learned by playing action word games.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: Let's Go Shopping!
Description: This technology-based lesson provides students practice in collecting and organizing data through the use of grocery store circulars.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Presenting the Water Cycle
Description: This unit will introduce students to the water cycle and the importance of water to all life. Students will be involved in several activities concerning the water cycle, and the unit will culminate with students creating and presenting multimedia presentations.
Subject: Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Weather Word Search
Description: This lesson will give students the opportunity to search the Internet for weather-related words. The students will define weather words prior to creating their own weather word search.
Subject: English Language Arts (2 - 3), Science (2 - 3), English Language Arts (2 - 3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Levers - Weight Lifters
Description: During this lesson, students will have the opportunity to explore levers through hands-on experiences and by navigating the Internet. This lesson allows students to use their experiences to determine how levers and other simple machines make work easier.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3)
Title: Make a Leaf Graph
Description: This lesson should be taught during a unit on plants or trees. During this lesson students will collect leaves and use rulers to measure each leaf. The students will have the opportunity to create a hand-made bar graph as well as a computer-generated bar graph. They will also compare a bar graph to a pie graph to determine which graph is easier to read.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: We Are Super-Duper!
Description: This lesson will be conducted in a classroom guidance setting by a school counselor. It will help children to understand that each person is unique and special. This lesson is interactive and incorporates both art and music.
Subject: Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Charting the Weather
Description: During this lesson, students will gather data from temperature and water gauges set up on the playground to learn about weather patterns. Then students will build a spreadsheet with data related to temperature, wind direction and amount of rainfall. Once students have gathered and recorded the data they will write about how the weather has affected them and the playground.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Keyboard Position & Techniques
Description: In this lesson students will learn the correct position and posture at a computer keyboard. They will see how to divide the keyboard into two parts for efficient use. Students will identify keys that are typed with the right hand and the left hand.
Subject: Social Studies (K), Mathematics (K), English Language Arts (K), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (2)
Title: A Penny For Your Thoughts
Description: This is an outline for a week-long lesson usually taught in the month of February around President's Day. It is an interdisciplinary study combining coin identification with a literature-based study of the Presidents represented on the coins.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Elapsed Time: Planning a Field Trip
Description: The focus of this mathematics unit is on students planning for a trip to Montgomery. Students will have the opportunity to calculate elapsed time as well as the cost of different activities. Students will navigate the Internet to learn more about Montgomery and complete different tasks assigned during the lesson.
Subject: Arts Education (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (3 - 5)
Title: Expressive Expressionist Faces
Description: Students will learn about Expressionist artists and the strategies they used in their artworks. The students will also produce an Expressionist artwork using some of those strategies as well as develop a slideshow presentation about an Expressionist artist.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Animals: Unique Creatures With Great Features
Description: During this unit of study, students will become knowledgeable of animals' characteristics, basic needs and habitats. The purpose of this unit is to educate students through investigation and research about various animals and the characteristics which link them to specific animal groups. Students will present information through models, oral reports and presentations.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), Arts Education (K), English Language Arts (K), Arts Education (K)
Title: Leo Lionni's A Color of His Own
Description: Students will summarize a Leo Lionni story through drawing and writing. Students will also mix the three primary colors to make secondary colors.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Move Over: A Sequencing Lesson
Description: During this lesson students will learn about the sequencing of stories. Students will have the opportunity to retell stories using sequencing words they learn. They will also navigate an Internet site to reinforce the skills they learn during the lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting
Description: This lesson is part of a week-long unit. It focuses on the pre-reading phase of guided reading. It aims to activate prior knowledge, preview vocabulary, and set a purpose for reading. This book deals with a very sensitive issue that most children know little or nothing about, homeless people. In a non-judgmental way the author shows how a father and son deal with the situation. The story leaves the reader with hope that someday father and son and all other homeless people will again have a home.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: It’s My Party!
Description: Students will learn the value of money by planning their own birthday party. By using the Internet and a calculator, students will be given the opportunity for a practical real-life opportunity to solve a problem related to money exchange.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (2)
Title: We All Scream For Ice Cream!
Description: Students will learn the value of coins and a one dollar bill and to count coin combinations. This activity will provide them with a real world experience in which to practice these skills.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5), Mathematics (5), Mathematics (4 - 5)
Title: Comparing Modes of Transportation
Description: In this lesson students will visit different websites in order to decide the best mode of transportation from their home town to New York City. Students will graph the results and write a persuasive paper.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Shopping with the Dewey Decimal System
Description: This lesson is an introduction to the ten main categories of the Dewey Decimal Classification System. The Dewey Decimal Classification System will be compared with the familiar layout of a grocery store. Students will organize grocery store items into related groups. This process will then be compared to the organization of books using the Dewey Decimal System.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Little Bear's Adventure
Description: During this lesson, students will read about Little Bear's adventure in the book Little Bear by Elsie Minarik. Students will learn about the elements of a story and then explore Little Bear through a WebQuest on the Internet. Students will also navigate a website to complete several tasks to learn more about Little Bear.
Subject: Social Studies (2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Traditions At Home and Around the World
Description: Each student will research his/her own family traditions and report findings to the class using presentation software. In partner groups, students will select a country to research. Their research will focus on traditions of a chosen country and will be compiled in brochure format.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: What was Right about the Wright Brothers?
Description: In this unit students will explore the lives of the Wright brothers. The end result will be a student-made documentary highlighting the factors that allowed the Wright brothers to succeed at manned flight when others before them had failed.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Weather Instruments For Sale
Description: During this lesson, students will use knowledge they have learned about weather instruments to create a catalog advertisement. Students will use descriptive writing to advertise the use of the weather instrument. They will also use persuasive writing to get customers to purchase their weather instrument.
Subject: Science (1), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Fishing for Facts!
Description: This lesson will involve a visit to the Library Media Center to research different sea creatures. Using an encyclopedia, students will find two facts about their sea creature. Using the Internet, students will work in small groups to find a picture of their sea creature. All work will be combined into a sea creature booklet.
Subject: Science (2), English Language Arts (2), Mathematics (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (K - 1)
Title: Creepy Caterpillars to Beautiful Butterflies
Description: Students will explore the life cycle of a butterfly using a website and observations of caterpillar metamorphosis. This lesson will incorporate science, mathematics, language arts, and art.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Parts of a Computer: A Beginning Computer Lesson
Description: This lesson is designed to give hands-on experience to students during their first experience at the computer. Students will learn correct positioning at the computer desk, proper positioning of hands on the keyboard, and the basic parts of a computer.
Subject: Social Studies (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Equator and the Poles
Description: This lesson provides hands-on activities that will teach students about the poles and the equator. Students will be labeling a globe, recreating a globe within the classroom, and researching information on the Internet.
Subject: Science (2 - 3), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Exploring Weather Disasters
Description: During this lesson, students will discover the differences in four types of weather disasters. They will collect information from selected Internet websites and create a multimedia presentation to demonstrate what they have learned.
Subject: Science (1), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Nocturnal Animals Lesson #6: Skunks
Description: In this lesson students will learn interesting facts about skunks. They will also design a "nose guard" that people can wear to protect themselves against the smell of a skunk. Then students will have a chance to dramatize a commercial for their "nose guards."
Subject: Science (1)
Title: Nocturnal Animals Lesson #7: Spiders
Description: In this lesson students will learn the body parts of a spider and write addition/subtractions sentences using spiders. The class will go on a nature walk to find spiders and spider webs. Finally, the students will complete a science experiment to learn how spiders eat.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Jack's Beans
Description: During this lesson, the classic story of Jack and the Bean Stalk will spark an interest in plants with students. Students will explore the Internet, take a nature walk, and make observations to learn more about plants. A brochure will demonstrate their knowledge of plants.
Subject: Social Studies (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Explore!
Description: The Manifest Destiny of the 1800's began with Thomas Jefferson's dramatic political foresight of arranging the Louisiana Purchase. The stories of courage and determination from these lands began with the Lewis and Clark expedition. In this lesson students will explore the fascinating people, places, and struggles of the expedition. Students will create from their study a brochure depicting at least five areas of information about the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Subject: Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (7 - 8), Mathematics (6)
Title: It's In The Bag
Description: This lesson provides students with a real-life application of problem solving. Students will use color counters to model writing expressions and equations. They are given a scenario to follow where clues about the content of bags are used to determine the type of canned goods in each bag.
Subject: Science (1), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Fabulous Four
Description: In this lesson, first grade students will learn about each of the four seasons. They will learn about different activities we engage in during each of the seasons. Students will also learn about the appropriate attire for each seasonal activity.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Where is the Dirt? A Lesson in Hydroponics
Description: This lesson will be developed around hydroponic gardening, the growing of plants without soil. Using the Internet, students will research hydroponics and share their knowledge with the class. A classroom hydroponic garden will be constructed for observation.
Subject: Science (3), Mathematics (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: The Water Cycle
Description: During this lesson, students will learn that water is constantly being recycled through the atmosphere and how this affects us. Students will explore the water cycle on the Internet. Students create different types of weather situations to see how the water cycle works. Mathematics skills will be used to determine results from the observations.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (6)
Title: Express Yourself
Description: This lesson presents students with the abstract idea that letters represent unknown numbers or variables. Vocabulary pertinent to writing English phrases as algebraic expressions and sentences as equations and vice versa is introduced. A mathematics and language arts relationship is also stressed.
Subject: Science (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: The Tree of Life
Description: This is a lesson to help students understand the phylogeny of organisms and how all organisms are linked in a certain way. By navigating an Internet site, students will learn how organisms are classified.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Fishing for Computer Parts
Description: Young students will learn the basic parts of a computer and their care. They will then practice identifying the parts with a game of "Go Fish."
Subject: Career Technologies (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6 - 7), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: How Much Money Can I Make?
Description: This lesson is a technology-based activity in which students will research two careers they are possibly interested in pursuing. They will convert the average yearly salary of each career into an hourly wage and record their findings in a spreadsheet. They will calculate their weekly gross and net pay for each career choice.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Science (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Nocturnal Animals Lesson #4: Owls
Description: During this lesson, students will visit various Internet sites to learn facts about owls. They will use this information to draw a picture of the owl food chain, dissect owl pellets, and write a poem about owls.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Mathematics (9 - 12), Health Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Marathon Math
Description: This unit on sequences and series is intended to help students make the connection from math to real life situations. Developing a marathon training program for a beginner runner is one simple way that students may use patterns in real life. The total mileage per week usually creates a pattern over time. Mathematical operations on patterns, sequences, and series enable students to do the calculations necessary for exploring the pattern. Students also explore nutrition information needed for a training program as proper nutrition is an important part of sports training.
Subject: Science (1 - 2), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Vibrations We Can See, Feel and Hear
Description: This four-part lesson allows students to explore the question of how sounds are made. Using wooden rulers, tongue depressors and tuning forks, students will explore and experience sound. Students will use what they have learned to create instruments. Throughout the unit students will use technology to record their thoughts and observations.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Publishing a Book Report Using Word Processing
Description: This lesson provides students with the basic steps to using word processing. Students will use word processing software to publish a final copy of a book report. Students will review the main parts of a book report. This lesson will teach students technology skills they will use throughout their school career.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Writing Friendly Letters
Description: This lesson teaches students the five parts of a friendly letter. Students will be able to write friendly letters utilizing the writing process. Students will visit various websites to learn more about writing friendly letters. Students will also create a letter by navigating a website on the Internet. The students will use a word processing program to develop their finished products.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Writing Process: Brainstorming
Description: This lesson will be used to introduce the writing process. Students will learn about the first step, brainstorming, through webbing activities. Students will also view other students' work on the Internet. Students will learn how to use Kidspiration software to begin the writing process.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Look To the Future
Description: This lesson is designed to encourage self-analysis of interests and skills as related to occupations, and to encourage future thought about a career identity or role. This lesson will allow students to organize career information to create a slideshow presentation that includes a scanned image of a drawing as they might see themselves in a future occupation. Students will also have the opportunity to create a newsletter help-wanted ads section using desktop publishing software to encourage exploration of various occupations.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Toy Store Money
Description: During this lesson students will have the opportunity to use real coins to purchase items in a class department store. Students will work to determine which coins they need to purchase an object. They will also practice counting skills on the Internet before the big shopping day.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Science (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: African Internet Safari
Description: During this lesson, students read and listen to poems about African animals and try to guess which animal is being described. Students will use the information they already know to identify the animals. Students will have the opportunity to write a mystery poem about an animal. They will get to share their poems and have the class guess the animal.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Our Restless Planet
Description: This unit will use demonstrations and student examples to help students gain an understanding of rotation, revolution, and orbit. Through hands-on activities students will explore the concepts of day and night. Technology will be incorporated using presentation software for students to share the knowledge they have acquired.
Subject: Arts Education (2 - 4), Character Education (K - 12), Arts Education (4)
Title: The History of Jazz - An African American Heritage Month Lesson
Description: Using the book Ben's Trumpet, by Rachel Isadora, early elementary students will learn the historical development of jazz music. This multidisciplinary unit will incorporate a variety of cultures that have impacted the arts.
Subject: English Language Arts (K - 1), Character Education (K - 12), Counseling and Guidance (K - 1), English Language Arts (K - 1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Let's Talk!!
Description: This hands-on, inquiry-based unit combines language and social studies skills in order to encourage communication between verbal and non-verbal students. Students in early elementary classes are paired with students who are non-verbal and multi- handicapped and challenged to explore ways to communicate with and learn things about each other.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Better Health in Computer Technology
Description: In this lesson students will learn the rationale for proper hand, eye, and body mechanics when using a computer. Students will discover how to properly use a computer by viewing a presentation, researching the Internet, and by creating their own slideshow presentation.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Traffic Jams in the Circulatory System!
Description: Students will discover how atherosclerosis can cause plaque build up in the inner walls of arteries leading to hardening of the arteries which leads to cardiac disease. Students will research atherosclerosis using the Internet and prepare a slide show presentation to communicate the causes and effects of atherosclerosis. Each student will complete a newsletter or brochure to motivate other students, teachers, and staff to monitor diet.
Subject: Social Studies (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Our Original Thirteen Colonial Settlements
Description: After students have researched one of the thirteen original colonies, they will be asked to present a flyer encouraging others to come settle in their assigned colony. Oral presentations to the class must be accompanied by a written report and may include a computer slideshow presentation that will receive a separate grade.
Subject: Science (2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Luscious Layers of Life...A Walk Through the Rainforest
Description: This lesson provides students with an opportunity to learn about the animals and plant life that live in the various layers of the tropical rainforest. Students will view a slideshow with many different facts and pictures of the rainforest. They will also research animals and plants of the rainforest by searching Internet sites. Students will also share what they learn through an typed report.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Dr. Seuss on the Loose: And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street
Description: In Dr. Seuss’ first published children’s book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, Marco, inspired by the passing of a horse and wagon, imagines a series of increasingly incredible sights on his way home from school. This story provides a springboard for discussing the concepts of honesty, imagination, and creativity and for exploring the difference between dishonesty and creativity. Students will learn to recognize when it is appropriate to weave an elaborate tale and when it is not.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: Finding the Slope of a Line
Description: This lesson will use a slide presentation to facilitate teaching students how to find the slope of a line when given the graph of the line or two points. Students will interact with the presentation in two ways: first, by taking notes and practicing examples, and second, by linking to a slope activity on the Internet. This lesson may be done in one ninety-minute block or broken up over two fifty-minute periods. This lesson would be incorporated in a unit on graphing linear equations.
Subject: Social Studies (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Primary Technology Maps
Description: This hands-on, inquiry-based lesson combines maps skills which include identifying map elements, applying an understanding of cardinal directions, interpreting resource maps, and identifying a location. Students will have the opportunity to work with a group to research a specific continent and create a multimedia slide about the continent.
Subject: Social Studies (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Come with Me to the Islands
Description: Students will explore several islands by watching a multimedia presentation prepared by the teacher on islands and how they were formed. Students will then use globes and maps to find various islands using cardinal directions given by the teacher. Students will work to make models of islands and draw and write about islands using software.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (5), Arts Education (5 - 8)
Title: Back in Time: Hieroglyphics in Ancient Egypt
Description: There are over 500 ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Students will use the Internet to translate their names into hieroglyphs. They will use the translation to design a clay cartouche.
Subject: Mathematics (1 - 2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Graphing M
Description: During this lesson, students will learn how to create a graph using M&M's. Students will compare the different numbers of M&M's by creating different math problems. Students will practice working different math problems on the Internet. Experience from this activity will be used to participate in the voting process.
Subject: Arts Education (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (4)
Title: The Art of Rene Magritte
Description: This unit is about the artist, Rene Magritte. Students engage in hands-on research in various areas of art utilizing images, software, and Internet resources. Students will then create their own image, and work in groups to create a slideshow presentation on Magritte.
Subject: Health Education (K - 1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Eat Five A Day
Description: During this lesson designed for students with moderate disabilities, students will learn the importance of eating at least five fruits and vegetables a day. This lesson includes a field trip to the grocery store to purchase fruits and vegetables. Students will learn about the food guide pyramid during the lesson. Students will also navigate the Internet to learn more about fruits and vegetables.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3 - 4), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Time Flies
Description: This lesson plan is one of the first in a unit on telling time which addresses the following content areas: language arts, math, science, social studies, and technology. Students will read several resource books to gather information. They will then sequence information in a timeline. The final project will be a slideshow presentation.
Subject: Physical Education (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Pickle-Ball
Description: Students will be introduced to the sport of Pickle-Ball through a slideshow presentation by the teacher (attached). Students will then conduct research on the Internet and design a simple newsletter on the sport of Pickle-Ball. Topics to be covered are: rules, equipment, court dimensions, and history. Students will then work on the specific sport skills of the serve, forehand return, backhand return, the lob, the volley, smash and special shots. Individual skills will be introduced at the beginning of each class period. Students will then participate in single and doubles matches to give them practice opportunities. At the conclusion of the unit students will be given a hands-on skills post-test and complete a written test to evaluate their performance.
Subject: Social Studies (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (K)
Title: Celebrating The Chinese New Year
Description: During this lesson, students will learn about the Chinese New Year celebration, including customs, symbols and their meanings, and roles of adults and children. Following the lesson, students will compare the celebrations in United States and China. The students will also draw a picture and write a sentence about their favorite holiday celebration.
Subject: Social Studies (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Native Americans
Description: During this lesson, students will recognize that Native Americans were the first inhabitants of our country. They will locate on a map where different tribes lived and compare and contrast different tribes' basic needs and customs.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Presidential Biographical Sketch
Description: Each student will choose a former President of the United States to research and present to the class. Students will develop timelines based on biographical information found through search engines on the Internet as well as in books, reference books, and periodicals. They will also write and give campaign speeches for their Presidential selections.
Subject: Science (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Cells
Description: Students will research prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The students will then research plant and animal cells, comparing and contrasting the two. Students will also research the major organelles and the function of each. Students will then construct a slideshow presentation with accompanying brochure to communicate the information.
Subject: Arts Education (K), Physical Education (K), Arts Education (K)
Title: Dancing to New Heights
Description: This lesson will encourage the use of movement in a therapeutic manner. Culturally diverse music is used to allow severely involved students to learn different ways of moving their body.
Subject: Health Education (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Sugar Detectives
Description: During this lesson, students will learn to make wise decisions concerning the snacks they eat. Students will learn to read food labels and measure the sugar content in foods. Students will be able to determine if they are practicing healthy eating by creating a food guide pyramid of their eating habits. Students will also create a multimedia presentation to demonstrate what they learned.
Subject: Science (6 - 7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Imagine Mars
Description: Students will learn about Mars and what adaptations would be needed for people to live on Mars. They will develop a plan for the colonization of Mars. A slideshow presentation and brochure will be created to entice people to join this new colony being developed.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Exploring the World of Cinderella Tales
Description: Students will read three different Cinderella tales, including tales from Africa, China, and America. Upon completion of a Venn diagram comparing the similarities and differences of these tales, the students will complete and present multimedia presentations showing their results.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Just Plain Living
Description: Students work through a teacher-prepared Webquest in order to learn about the art, food, shelter, clothing, etc. of the Plains Indians. Internet resources are used to collect information in order to make group presentations to the class. Students have the opportunity to decide among several projects to complete in order to demonstrate what they have learned.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Going the Distance for Circles
Description: This lesson is designed for an Advanced Mathematics class and introduces the first conic section - a circle. The definition and important information related to circles is presented in a multimedia presentation. Students are then required to document what they have learned in a brochure.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: "Dummie's" Guide to PCR
Description: (This lesson is for a more advanced class such as honors or AP Biology.)
The lesson will look at one of the most important tools to the molecular biologist, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). The students will learn the science behind PCR and the steps scientists go through to do PCR. The students will design a slideshow presentation to explain the science of PCR to others.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Arts Education (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (3 - 12)
Title: Rainforest Music
Description: During this lesson, the world of the rainforest will come alive. Students will have the opportunity to explore the music of the rainforest and create a musical instrument of their own. The Internet will be used as a tool to gather additional information for students to use in a multimedia presentation.
Subject: Science (K - 2), Social Studies (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Seasons
Description: This early primary lesson teaches students how the earth's rotation around the sun results in the occurrence of four seasons. Through literature, art activities and technology students will explore the four seasons.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Move the Cherokee People
Description: During this lesson, students will explore facts about the Cherokee people, their history, their culture, and their future. This lesson will help students begin to realize how the actions of our predecessors affected people in the past and today. The Internet will be used as a research tool to help students learn more about the Trail of Tears. Students will also have the opportunity to produce a slideshow presentation to share their new knowledge about the Trail of Tears.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12)
Title: Let's Be Friends
Description: Buddies, pals, amigos - whatever you call them, friends are an important part of life. These beginning-of-the-year unit activities will give kindergarten students an opportunity to consider what friendship is all about.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: What a Jiffy Lesson
Description: During this lesson on George Washington Carver, students will learn about some of his accomplishments and participate in a hands-on activity of making homemade peanut butter. Students will research information about Carver on the Internet and create a short slide show describing important facts about Carver's life.
Subject: Social Studies (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Now and Then and Back Again: A Study of Transportation
Description: By using a slideshow presentation and a Conestoga wagon project, students will experience different ways people have conquered the human and social need for transportation in America. Students will begin by studying ancient and Native American cultures and progress to the pioneer’s use of land vehicles for exportation of goods. They will create their own small wagon by using very simple materials, and have a contest to see whose cart can carry the most pennies. Upon conclusion of the study, students will compare and contrast our transportation today to that of the past by creating a multimedia presentation.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: "Moments in Time" Lines
Description: This lesson will give students the opportunity to share important events in their lives while learning to make a timeline.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (K), English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Cooking Experience with Blueberries For Sal
Description: This lesson will enhance the study of the color blue by providing a story, cooking experience and writing activity.
Subject: Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Use Simple Machines to Help Stuart Little
Description: Students will use their knowledge of simple machines to design a way to bring a birthday package into the Little's living room, using simple and complex machines to make this job easier to do.
Subject: Mathematics (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Hop on Pop and Non-Standard measurement
Description: This lesson is a hands-on, cross-curricular lesson for exploring non-standard measurement. It utilizes children's literature, manipulatives, opportunities for writing, and small group collaborative learning. Students will meaningfully use vocabulary associated with measurement. This lesson could be used as part of a unit on the author, Dr. Seuss, or at any time during the school year in conjunction with the math program.
Subject: Arts Education (2 - 5), Technology Education (K - 2), Arts Education (3 - 5)
Title: Creating Holiday Cards
Description: This lesson for incorporates painting and word processing software to create a card. Students will create original art work, insert it into a document, and print it. This can be done in a classroom or a lab setting with any age from second to fifth grade.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Science (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: My Book About Animals
Description: This lesson will allow students an opportunity to create a book about the different characteristics of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and insects. This lesson can be used as a wrap-up project for a unit on animals. This is a fun way for students to share what they have learned throughout the unit.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Because of Winn-Dixie: A New Point of View
Description: This is a language arts lesson concentrating on point of view and narrative writing. Using the novel Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo, students practice retelling part of a story from another point of view.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: Creating State Brochures
Description: Students will work in pairs to research online and/or in print a chosen state and create a travel brochure incorporating the information gathered.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Learning about Cinquains
Description: After reading/hearing Junie B. First Grader Cheater Pants by Barbara Park and discussing the concept of cheating, following directions, and poetry, students write cinquains and publish a class booklet.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (K)
Title: Oh, Baby!
Description: In this lesson, students will learn to identify baby farm animals. The students will view different pictures of baby farm animals and learn many characteristics of baby farm animals.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Science (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Ready, Set,...Research!
Description: Students will have the opportunity to do research on a weather topic in which they are interested. This lesson will teach the students how to use dictionaries, encyclopedias, resource books and the Internet to find facts about the weather. The students will have a time limit in order to help them learn to use their time wisely.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Qualitative Analysis Project
Description: Students, working in groups, will identify four unknown substances using analysis procedures practiced in the lab throughout the school year. They will collect data, research the unknown substances, and report findings in a slideshow presentation and web page, and collect an industry brochure.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 6), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 6), Mathematics (3 - 5)
Title: Probability Paper Bags
Description: The students will use paper bags with color tiles to calculate probability of colors. This is a fun activity to use with the students. The objectives of probability are taught in a non-threatening way.
Subject: Science (5)
Title: The Moon's Craters
Description: This lesson will help students understand impact craters and infer how they were formed and the reason for their differences in size.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Let's Go To The Zoo
Description: Students will create their favorite zoo animals using play dough. Using a word processor, students will create a sentence or short story about their animals.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: A Hero by Any Other Name. . .
Description: In conjunction with a study of literary or national heroes or in recognition of 9/11 week, students select a hero from among their family and friends, gather information about him/her, and prepare a multimedia presentation of their research.
Subject: Mathematics (1 - 2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1 - 2), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: The Grouchy Ladybug Tells Time
Description: The students will use the book, The Grouchy Ladybug, by Eric Carle to tell time. They will also use manipulatives and will draw the clock hands to the appropriate times.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5)
Title: Kids and Money
Description: This lesson is used to show students how a bank pays interest to people who deposit money into it and charges interest to people who borrow money from it.
Subject: Science (2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: A Penguin Tale or Tail?
Description: This interdisciplinary approach to science, language arts and technology will guide students into a study of real information about penguins and their habitat. They will learn to identify homophones and share what they learn using appropriated communication and listening skills.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Ants on a Log--A Language Experience Story
Description: This lesson will allow students to create a snack using celery, peanut butter, and raisins (called "Ants on a Log"). Then the students will write about the experience using transitional words. The teacher can adapt the lesson to any mode of writing desired.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: What Are Idioms?
Description: After listening to More Parts by Tedd Arnold read aloud, intermediate school students distinguish between literal and figurative meaning by using a graphic organizer, playing an online game, and incorporating an idiom into their writing.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 1), English Language Arts (K - 1), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2), Arts Education (K - 1)
Title: Art Fun With the Fairy Tale, The Fisherman and His Wife
Description: This lesson will give students the opportunity to view a variety of illustrations in different forms of literature. Students will be able to create their own work of art. They will also find that fairy tales can inspire readers to create original works of art.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Changing "Now" Words to "Then" Words
Description: This interdisciplinary lesson teaches first graders to use the inflectional ending -ed to create past tense verbs from present tense verbs. As children learn to use the -ed pattern, they change familiar root words into longer words to denote past time. These words are recognized in reading comprehension as past time, in personal writing, and spelling with the -ed ending.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Persuasive Writing with Second Graders
Description: During this lesson students will search a piece of persuasive writing to find details supporting their position. They will participate in a group activity involving brainstorming and writing a persuasive letter, and will then complete their own individual piece of persuasive writing.
Subject: Science (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Seeds and Germination
Description: This lesson will be introduced to the students as a part of a unit of study about plants. The students will learn to accurately diagram the parts of a seed and will predict what conditions are needed for germination.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9)
Title: Letter of Introduction - Writing as a Diagnostic Tool
Description: At the beginning of the school year, students respond to a teacher-generated questionnaire in personal letter format. As a diagnostic tool, letter writing can reveal strengths and weaknesses in composition skills, organization, sentence structure, and mechanics.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Social Studies (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6)
Title: Researching with the Alabama Virtual Library
Description: After an introduction to the Alabama Virtual Library, students use the available resources to research and present information about a United States president.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (K - 2)
Title: Farm Animals Thematic Unit
Description: Students will participate in a thematic study about the farm. They will work cooperatively to create a book about farm animals using technology resources. This project will take approximately 5 days and can be used in conjunction with or at the end of a farm unit.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: On the Loose With Dr. Seuss
Description: Students will survey teachers in order to find out the titles of their favorite Dr. Seuss books. They will work in small groups and use digital cameras to take pictures of each teacher and his/her favorite book.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), Social Studies (K - 2), Character Education (K - 12)
Title: Alabama Patriotic Symbols
Description: Alabama has many patriotic symbols that characterize the state. This lesson plan covers five state symbols associated with the State of Alabama. This lesson will help the students learn interesting facts about each of the symbols and explore more state symbols on the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Science (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Dig It!
Description: Children will enjoy learning about dinosaurs through the use of technology, research, hands-on activities, discussions, and written and oral presentations. This unit will help students to collaborate as a group and manage their own time.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 10), English Language Arts (9 - 10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Identifying Parallel Structure in Sentences
Description: After textbook and online instruction in parallel construction, students examine Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and the Declaration of Independence for parallelism before writing their own paragraphs.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (6), Social Studies (6), English Language Arts (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Fighting for Gender and Racial Equality
Description: In this lesson students will examine the lives of key leaders and events in the fight for gender and racial equality at the turn of the 20th century. Through this inquiry study students will choose one of these leaders or events to research. The research content will be the basis of a written summary on an individual or event. The students will also create a visual aide or role-play relating the life and times of the individual or event.
Subject: Science (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Phases of the Moon
Description: This lesson will familiarize students with the phases of the moon. It can be taught in a unit dealing with the solar system. It involves all learning types-kinesthetic, auditory, tactile, and visual.
Subject: Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Extra! Extra! Harlem Renaissance Tribune
Description: From writing with Langston Hughes to dancing with Bojangles, explore 1920-30 Harlem and publish a newspaper about the arts and entertainment of this cultural renaissance that brought new energy and sound to the world.
Subject: Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Description: This lesson introduces students to Rosa Parks and the beginning of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. After considering the impact of Ms. Parks' heroism, students will explore its relevance to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. Students will learn new vocabulary and will answer a questionnaire that will be published on the web. Students will then create a tribute to Rosa Parks' heroism that will be submitted to a classroom book.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Social Studies (11)
Title: The Civil Rights Movement
Description: This is a lesson to help students learn important historical information about the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950's and 60's. It is designed to introduce students to common beliefs of the time as well as important individuals in the movement. It will also help students to make judgments about how society today is different because of the Civil Rights Movement. The lesson will also utilize technology to bring the lesson alive for the students.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Larger than Life
Description: Students will write a tall tale narrative including larger than life characters with unusual skills or abilities using exaggeration, humor, surprise endings, and story elements (setting, characters, conflict, resolution).
Subject: Arts Education (4 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Arts Education (4), Mathematics (5)
Title: The Great Divide--A Lesson in Symmetry
Description: This is a whole group, hands-on, fun lesson where students will use knowledge of symmetry to produce art work.
Subject: Social Studies (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Wow! What a trip!
Description: Students are sent back in time to Europe during the Middle Ages. They will stay for five days. They are taking a camera and a journal with them.
They will present their journals and their pictures to the class when they return.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Equivalent Fractions
Description: This lesson helps students discover how to obtain equal fractions by using both fraction strips and playing a fraction matching game. Students will learn that to obtain equal fractions they will need to multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (4), English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Figurative Language
Description: This lesson used a slideshow presentation to explain the difference between similes and metaphors. Students are challenged to identify these figurative elements in literature and then create some themselves.
Subject: Social Studies (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Visualizing Islam
Description: Islam is the youngest of the three Semitic religions; however, it is the second largest religion in the world. The impact of Islam on national and international politics creates a need for students to discover how and why this religion spread so far, so fast, and with such dramatic influence around the world. Students will be able to find the answers to these questions and more through researching history, geography, expansion, cultural and societal roles, and Islamic contributions. Students will orally present their findings to the class with a visual aid.
Subject: Social Studies (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: How Hate Changes Society
Description: Government classes usually focus on the workings of the United States Government alone. In this unit of study, students will compare the United States government with that of pre-Nazi Germany. This unit will demonstrate to students how misguided public policy can become when dissent and debate are silenced.
Subject: English Language Arts (12), English Language Arts (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Modern Day Macbeth
Description: As students work in small groups to compose scripts and produce videos recreating a selected scene, they demonstrate an understanding of Macbeth and the elements of drama.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Multimedia Book Report
Description: This lesson gives students a clear understanding of how to create a slide show presentation using PowerPoint. The students will use this information to create a slide show book report.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Long and Short Vowel Sounds
Description: During this lesson, students will learn the different sounds vowels make. They will view a slideshow presentation that teaches them the different sounds. Once they have learned the sounds, students will create a document of pictures representing the different vowel sounds. Students will also navigate the Internet to practice identifying the different vowel sounds.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Math is Functional
Description: This lesson is a technology-based activity in which students extend graphing of linear functions to the use of spreadsheet software. After students have become proficient in constructing a table of values, students are able to efficiently graph equations with more extensive computational requirements. Furthermore, inquiry and discovery about slope and y-intercept will help students conceptualize material normally presented in Algebra I textbooks.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: How Do Citizens Make Government Work?
Description: This five-session unit will provide hands-on opportunities for students to explore local, state and national governments. In the process, students will use technology and print media to learn about the leaders of each level of government and explore citizenship as a way to make a difference in their communities and nation.
Subject: Science (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Pretty Cool Penguins
Description: This lesson is part of an interdisciplinary primary life science unit addressing adaptation and habitats by focusing on penguins. This lesson is primarily technology based and should take place near the end of the unit, after students have had time to become thoroughly familiar with penguins and are ready to synthesize their learning.
Subject: Science (1 - 2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Children's Zoo of Mammals
Description: This lesson is a technology-based project. This lesson can be taught as a part of an unit on mammals. Students will research different mammals and identify characteristics of mammals. They will also contrast and compare humans to other types of mammals. They will create a group multimedia presentation identifying mammals, characteristics of mammals, and a picture of the assigned mammal. Students will then use Publisher to design a newsletter to inform family members of our studies on mammals. A web site can be developed to enhance the students’ study of mammal.
Subject: English Language Arts (1 - 2), Character Education (K - 12), Mathematics (K - 2), English Language Arts (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2), Mathematics (1 - 2)
Title: What Can We Learn From Pigs?
Description: This thematic language arts lesson uses a variety of beginning reading books about pigs to help special education/early elementary students learn about character traits and concepts. The wide use of graphic organizers introduces beginning readers to early reading strategies.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12), Character Education (K - 12)
Title: The One-Minute Praise
Description: The lesson will show the importance of positive stroking (feedback) for behavior modification. Dr. Ken Blanchard (The One Minute Manager)suggests we "catch people doing something right." To quote Lord Chesterfield's advice: "Make a person like himself/herself a little better and I promise he/she will like you very well indeed."
Subject: Science (1), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Butterfly Life Cycles
Description: This unit introduces students to a study of life cycles by having them examine the life cycle of a butterfly. The students will observe, record and describe the changes in caterpillars as they become butterflies. The teacher will conclude the unit by having each student prepare a slide about a butterfly he/she has researched for a class slideshow presentation about butterflies.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Recognizing Letters of the Alphabet
Description: This lesson reviews the alphabet with very young learners and introduces the concept of shelving in the library. The lesson incorporates software, reading, and games to address individual learning modes of the students.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (7 - 8), Character Education (K - 12)
Title: What's In a Penny?
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to highlight the value of group and team efforts and to demonstrate the importance of details.
Subject: Family and Consumer Sciences Education (9 - 12)
Title: Party Time
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to demonstrate culinary arts through the planning of a theme party. This project would be the culmination of a semester of work in food preparation.
Subject: Family and Consumer Sciences Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Teaching with The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Description: Students in a high school parenting class use Dr. Seuss's The Lorax to teach age-appropriate environmental tips to first graders. This lesson would be a great asset to the Read Across America celebration.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Animal Classification
Description: In this lesson, students will discuss the classification of animals. They will work in groups to research and present classification information about a selected group of animals.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Compound Words
Description: In this lesson the students will be introduced to compound words through the use of a multimedia presentation. Students will then form compound words through the use of teacher-made puzzles. Finally, the students will participate in a game in which they "catch" compound words projected from an overhead projector by using strips of white poster paper.
Subject: Science (3 - 4), Social Studies (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Antarctic Adventures!
Description: This month-long ongoing lesson will give the students opportunities to learn more about Antarctica. They will investigate and research specific information and use it to create a notebook and an information table.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Wordly Wise
Description: Students will learn how to use better word choices by completing a cloze activity, listening to A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle, and completing a word web.
Subject: English Language Arts (11), English Language Arts (11), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Dead Poets Society: Socratic Seminar Discussion
Description: As a springboard to an eleventh grade poetry unit, students view the movie Dead Poets Society and participate in a Socratic seminar of the themes, symbols, and life questions raised by the film. Student groups research and present one of the poems used in the film.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Email Pals
Description: The students will participate in an Internet pen pals exchange. They will exchange email with students in other parts of the United States or in other countries. They will learn about the culture and climate in other states and countries through participating in this activity.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Kids, Keys and Care
Description: This lesson will present a visual demonstration of the care of a computer keyboard and mouse. Students will be able to demonstrate with hands-on involvement the general care rules of the keyboard and mouse.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6), Social Studies (6)
Title: Escape to Freedom
Description: Students will read Number the Stars by Lois Lowrey. This novel about World War II, the Holocaust, and heroism, provides the topic for an inquiry-based, interdisciplinary lesson. Students will utilize their skills in technology and research to learn why there are dictators like Hitler, followers like the Nazis, and people from all walks of life who endanger their lives for the good of others.
Subject: Health Education (1 - 2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Food Guide Pyramid
Description: This lesson will teach students how to use the Food Guide Pyramid to eat healthy meals. Students will learn about the six different food groups and how to plan a meal incorporating all six.
Subject: Social Studies (5), English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Washington, DC Report
Description: Students will utilize the Internet to complete the DC Report during their study of Colonial American history and Washington, DC. They will demonstrate their understanding of the material through a written report using the three modes of writing. (This report may be given in its entirety or it may be broken up into sections.)
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Science (2)
Title: Bats, Bats, Bats!
Description: This lesson allows students to utilize the Internet to learn characteristics and behaviors of bats. It also introduces echolation. Students will use websites to view types of bats and their habitats.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), Mathematics (K), English Language Arts (K), Mathematics (K)
Title: There's Magic In Green Eggs and Ham
Description: As a part of a unit about Dr. Suess, students will learn about sequential order. Student understanding will be aided by the use of hands-on preparation of green eggs and ham, dictation, flannel board, sentence strips, and a living center.
Subject: English Language Arts (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Producing Multimedia Products in Grades 3-5
Description: In this lesson, students, working individually or in groups, will combine two or more media elements to produce projects or presentations. Various elements the teacher and students will consider using are; text, digital cameras, scanners, sound, and video.
Subject: English Language Arts (2 - 3), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (2 - 3), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Do We Have It and Where Can I Find It?
Description: Students will use the electronic card catalog to locate books in the Media Center. Students will determine if the Media Center has a particular item, if it is currently available, and where the item is located in the Media Center.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (7 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Computer Lab Rules and Technology Ethics
Description: Middle school students create presentations or newsletters to demonstrate appropriate behavior while using the computer lab, copyright laws concerning the use of Internet images and web sites, and Internet safety.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Getting to Know the Computer
Description: Kindergarten, first, and second grade students will view a teacher-made multimedia presentation introducing the basic parts of a computer. The kindergarten and first grade students will then identify the parts verbally. The second grade students will identify the parts by clicking on the correct answer provided in the presentation.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Powerful Presentations
Description: This lesson provides teachers with a step-by-step guide for teaching students how to produce a multimedia presentation. A detailed slideshow is included to give the teacher and students a visual guide to work with during the lesson. Students will develop many computer skills during this lesson. In addition, the ability to create multimedia presentations can be useful across the curriculum for a variety of projects.
Subject: Science (3), Social Studies (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Earth's Changing Surface
Description: During this unit, students will identify the various landforms found on the earth's surface. Also, students will describe how these landforms are created and changed by the natural forces within the earth and on its surface, as well as the unnatural impact of humans. Finally, students will create a slide presentation to display this information.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: My Most Memorable Experience
Description: In this lesson, each student will write a narrative story about his/her most memorable experience. Students will develop the narrative writing mode and create a brochure using desktop publishing software.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: How to Write a Descriptive Essay
Description: The students will learn to write a descriptive essay about a three-day space camp experience at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Students will then produce a multimedia slideshow about the experience.
Subject: Science (K), English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K)
Title: Pumpkins
Description: During this lesson students will be involved in hands-on discovery activities using pumpkins and pumpkin seeds. They will compare the size and weight of their pumpkins. They will also have an opportunity to taste pumpkin seeds. Students will also learn how to create a simple illustration using a graphics software program on the computer or the Internet.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: A Study of Plants
Description: In this lesson, students will incorporate reading and writing concepts to learn the parts of a plant. Several different technology resources will be incorporated to aid in the learning process.
Subject: Science (3)
Title: Rocks and Minerals
Description: Students will research a rock or mineral to find out some of its properties and uses. Each student will then complete a slide presentation to present findings.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Science (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Nocturnal Animals Lesson #1: Introduction to Nocturnal Animals
Description: This lesson can be part of a two-week integrated thematic unit on nocturnal animals. During this lesson, students will be introduced to nocturnal animals. They will have an opportunity to navigate web sites to learn more about nocturnal animals. The students will also use the writing process to share what they learn about their favorite nocturnal animal.
Subject: Science (3), English Language Arts (3), Arts Education (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Honey Bees
Description: The students will do research to learn the various functions of bees within the hive and understand the process of making honey. Students will use numerous resources to find their information including the Internet, library books, encyclopedias, and their science textbooks.
Subject: Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Transportation to the Western Frontier
Description: There were several modes of transportation for early settlers to use when they moved to the west. Students will research and document four modes of transportation using the Internet and print resources in the library.
Subject: Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: The Study Of Human Geography
Description: Geographers are social scientists who are interested in human activities as well as the physical environment. Human geography includes a wide range of topics, such as the study of languages, religions, customs, economics, and political systems. A special focus of human geography is demography. This social science is the study of populations, including such topics as birth, marriage, migration, and death.
Subject: Social Studies (6), English Language Arts (5), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Looking at Conestoga Wagons
Description: This lesson combines information literacy and technology skills with subject area skills. It is designed to be a collaborative effort between the classroom teacher and the school librarian. The topic of conestoga wagons is reseached from the perspective of a scientist, mathematician, English teacher, artist, geographer, engineer, or historian.
Subject: Social Studies (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Confucius Changes China
By: Gina Merritt & Kimberly Phillips
Description: In this lesson students analyze Confucianism and its effect on conflicts in China. Students will evaluate an excerpt from The Analects of Confucius to realize the usefulness of Confucius' teachings and create an original cartoon using Confucius' teachings to illustrate conflict resolution that occurs in modern times.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (4), English Language Arts (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Character Education - Integrity
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to identify some of the skills and attitudes that are essential for solving problems effectively. This lesson will be implemented as part of a character education unit on integrity. The meaning of integrity is investigated and discussed through the use of research skills, open-ended discussions, digital photography, and cooperative learning experiences.
Subject: Science (3)
Title: Name That Change! (Physical and Chemical Changes)
Description: This lesson teaches students to distinguish between physical and chemical changes. Students will view an interactive slideshow presentation and then conduct experiments to discern physical and chemical changes.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Character Education - Respect for Self, Property, Others and The Environment
Description: This lesson will be implemented as part of a character education unit on respect for self, property, others and the environment, an essential quality of good character. Students will apply research skills, open-ended discussions, keyboarding skills, digital photography, and cooperative learning experiences to investigate and internalize the meaning of respect. This lesson will also aid students in understanding how respect is viewed in other cultures.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Introduction to African American Poets
Description: In this lesson student groups will research selected African American poets using the Alabama Virtual Library. Each group will present its findings according to a chosen format.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: Understanding and Using Boolean Operators
Description: After an introduction to the Boolean operators AND, OR, NOT, parenthesis and NEAR, students practice searches using a worksheet.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: Research a Company
Description: After gathering information on a Fortune 500 company, students key a business report on their research and present their findings in a slideshow.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Autobiographical Magazines
Description: This assignment is designed for students to tell about themselves through writing and creative media. The students compile original articles and illustrations into an autobiographical magazine.
Subject: Arts Education (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (3)
Title: Digital Camera Self-Portraits
Description: Third graders use digital cameras and draw/paint software to create original self-portraits.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Fairy Tales as a Genre of Literature
Description: This lesson will provide students with an understanding of the literary elements of fairy tales. Students will compose original fairy tales using graphic web organizers and presentation software.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: I've Got the Power: An Introduction to Powerful Presentations
Description: This lesson teaches students how to create a basic slideshow that includes inserting slides, using transitions, and adding animation to text. The lesson is taught as an "All About Me" presentation, but can be adapted throughout the year for students to present information in all subjects.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: Hershey Kiss Descriptive Essay
Description: This is a fun lesson to demonstrate the power of words to describe a simple chocolate treat prior to writing a five-paragraph descriptive essay.
Subject: English Language Arts (10 - 11), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Learn the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) System: Research Depends on It!
Description: The students will develop an understanding of the organization of main and primary subclasses of the Library of Congress Classification System. The students will demonstrate knowledge and independence in using the LCC through online tutorials and by visiting a college library (optional).
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Planning a Company Picnic
Description: As students plan a company picnic, they gain proficiency in word processsing, online research, and the creation of a database and spreadsheet.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: All About Me Presentation
Description: After class lessons in computer technology, students design, create, and give a multimedia presentation about themselves. Presentations incorporate digital photograph(s), scanned pictures, and original artwork created in a drawing program.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: The Rookie Project
Description: This is a three-part writing project which includes a research paper, a creative short story, and a movie review inspired by the movie, The Rookie. The lesson is easily adapted to other appropriate films of similar themes.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (6 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: German Food and Eating Customs
Description: Working in small groups, students plan and serve a typical German supper, using the studied vocabulary to express their needs and opinions. Presentations of cultural customs, cultural differences, and menus make efficient use of limited computer access. (The lesson is easily adapted to other culture studies.)
Subject: English Language Arts (11), Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (11)
Title: Of Mice and Men
Description: This is a technology-based group project. It requires students to use the Internet as well as various types of software to creatively display their knowledge of the novel, Of Mice and Men.
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 8), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (7 - 8), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (7 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Newspapers: Facts and Opinions
Description: In order to sharpen a student's understanding of the differences between facts and opinions, this lesson incorporates both the close reading of a newspaper and the writing of a factual article and a letter to the editor.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (9), English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Twentieth Century Resumes
Description: Students will use the Alabama Virtual Library and other reference materials available in the library to create a resume for a twentieth century historical figure from United States history, science, or literature. The lesson is designed as a cooperative project between the classroom teacher and the library media specialist.
Subject: English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: I Spy
Description: Teachers take the classroom outside as they bring action into the teaching of action verbs by playing "I Spy."
Subject: English Language Arts (7 - 8), Information Literacy (K - 12)
Title: Know the Dewey: That's a Rap
Description: Middle school students develop an understanding of the organization of the library through demonstration, creative writing, book searches, and Internet use.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (2 - 4), English Language Arts (2 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Introduction to the Dewey Decimal System
Description: This lesson introduces the Dewey Decimal System of numbering used for arranging nonfiction books on the shelves of an elementary school library.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 5), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3)
Title: We're in a Pickle
Description: A hands-on lesson in which children work together to discover adjectives, write a descriptive paragraph, and apply math principles to produce a bar graph interpreting results from the lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Harlem Renaissance Unit
Description: This unit on the history and contribution of the Harlem Renaissance combines research and creative presentations in the form of slideshows, a timeline, and desktop publishing.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 11), English Language Arts (9 - 11), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: To Kill a Mockingbird: Building Knowledge
Description: As a conclusion to a class study of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, students create models and pictures based on the novel's descriptions to illustrate the effect of setting on plot and character.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: A Day in the Life
Description: The ability to create a timeline is a skill that students can use across the curriculum to represent changes over time. This spreadsheet project provides students the opportunity to learn to produce a timeline and introduces the life skill of time management as well.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Olympics 2004 Treasure Hunt
Description: This lesson is centered around an Olympics 2004 Treasure Hunt designed to give students an opportunity to learn about the history of the Olympic games and to generate interest in the modern Olympic games. Students are able to see the differences in the ancient games and today's modern games after viewing the Internet sites about the ancient Olympics and comparing those games to the modern Olympic events. Successful completion of the project requires that students navigate the Internet, work together, manage time wisely, and follow specific directions.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Let's Eat: An Expository Slideshow Presentation
Description: Students will write a three-paragraph essay explaining the steps necessary to follow a recipe, and then present and serve the recipe to their classmates.
Subject: Agriscience Education (8 - 12), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Measuring Marvelously - Standard Ruler
Description: This lesson is used to instruct students in the use of a standard "English" ruler for determining measurements. The students will read a standard ruler accurately to the nearest 1/16 of an inch. The student will measure different items to gain proficiency in measuring.
Subject: English Language Arts (7 - 8), English Language Arts (7 - 8), Character Education (K - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Riddles in the Dark
Description: Riddles can be challenging to solve and even more challenging to write. After reading the riddles used by Gollum to try to ensnare Bilbo in chapter five of Tolkien's The Hobbit and those used by Bilbo to outwit Gollum, students use their wit and cunning to author a riddle pop-up book.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines
Description: In this lesson students will learn a few basic copyright concepts such as how copyright helps a creator control any changes to his/her work.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Introduction to Biology: Organisms
Description: This lesson introduces basic biology principles and the characteristics of living organisms.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: The Integumentary System
Description: This lesson centers around a slideshow presentation that introduces students to an overview of human histology and provides images of each tissue type. Students are directed to a website to continue their integumentary study.
Subject: English Language Arts (1 - 2), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (1 - 2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Spine Labels - What are they and why are they there?
Description: This is a first or second grade library skills unit, conducted by the librarian with help from the art, computer, and homeroom teachers. Students will create: their own book cover and title page containing title, author & slideshow template; and one part of a class web page. It is possible to use only certain parts of this unit as a stand-alone lesson for use in the library, however, standards addressed assume completion of entire unit.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Communicating in a Technological World
Description: Through utilizing the Internet to discover technological advances in the 20th century and interviewing relatives and friends who experienced these changes in communication, students will discover firsthand how technology has changed communication.
Subject: Science (3)
Title: Water Cycle Model
Description: This hands-on model of the water cycle is a great culminating activity for a study of the movement of water through the environment. Completed in small groups or as a class project, it involves connecting three bottles to demonstrate the process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (2 - 3)
Title: Double Your Flavor
Description: As students begin memorizing the multiplication math facts, they will need many ways to visualize and practice the multiplication concepts. In this lesson they will begin practice with arrays, skip counting, and moving manipulatives for the 0,1,2,3,and 4 times tables.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Character Education - "Respect"
Description: This lesson will be implemented as part of a character education unit on integrity. Students will apply research skills, open-ended discussions, and cooperative learning experiences to investigate the meaning of "respect." Practicing good manners means showing respect for yourself, for others, for property, and for the world at large. Many of these basic courtesies are automatically included when the “Golden Rule” (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) is the rule of thumb. Giving respect to others and having respect for oneself is an integral part of developing good character.
Subject: Science (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Introduction to the Universe
Description: Students use descriptive words to create imagery of the many varieties of objects found in our universe.
Subject: Physical Education (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Big Top Jugglers
Description: A circus theme brings excitement to children. Juggling is a challenging task that demands practice and repetition to learn. Students will develop a better understanding of the background and history of the circus as well as improve hand-eye coordination skills by juggling.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Regions of the United States
Description: This lesson provides a variety of activities for the student to become aware of the regions in our country. They will learn the geography and natural resources and how these influence the way of life of the people living in a region.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 5), Science (4 - 5), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The History of Space Exploration
Description: In this lesson students develop a time line of important events in relation to space exploration.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Safety Precautions for Cosmetology
Description: Students will work together to make a list of safety precautions and then individually each student will create a poster depicting one or more of the safety precautions.
Subject: Social Studies (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Fifty States Project
Description: Students will follow simple research steps in the school media center and on the Internet to complete a poster on an assigned state by identifying the state's symbols and agricultural products.
Subject: English Language Arts (11 - 12), English Language Arts (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Interpreting Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream
Description: After a study of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, students working in small groups conduct research and create a slideshow presentation that emphasizes key aspects of the play and/or new ideas generated by the play.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Science (9 - 12)
Title: New Town Health Club Website
Description: As part of an ongoing, year-long project designing a health club, students in Human Anatomy and Physiology class will design a website for the health club. The site should contain linked pages that will show the information gathered and decisions made on various associated projects throughout the year.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 12), Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Where Am I in Cyberspace?
Description: This activity allows students to utilize critical thinking skills and Internet research to develop a technology timeline. The timeline will assist students in developing a word processed sample list of items for a time capsule, which can be presented in a class slideshow.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Identifying Sequence of Events Using Dr. Seuss' Bartholomew and the Oobleck
Description: After listening to a reading of Dr. Seuss' Bartholomew and the Oobleck, students use graphic organizers and comic strips to practice sequencing. In a fun activity, small groups follow directions to make oobleck.
Subject: Arts Education (3), Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (3 - 5), Arts Education (3)
Title: What's Your Style?
Description: Through collaboration with the art teacher and library media specialist, students will use various electronic information sources to research an artist and discover the style of the artist through examination of the artist's work. Students will create their own miniatures in the style of their artist. A poster will be used to present their research information and miniatures. The art teacher will provide instruction concerning the basic concepts of presentation using a poster.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Endangered Species - What am I Going to Do to Save Them?
Description: This is a biology or environmental science lesson that incorporates technology. This project-based plan is designed to be used as students study the factors that affect the dynamic equilibrium of populations and ecosystems. This lesson would be useful in remediation for Standard VI of the AHSGE.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9)
Title: Alaska: The People and the Land
Description: Students will read the short story about Alaskan Native heritage, "Otoonah," as retold by Robert David San Souci. From the reading and interpretation of this native American story, students will study the indigenous people of Alaska and their association with the Alaskan environment.
Subject: Science (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Observation of Yeast Growth
Description: In this lesson students will observe the growth of yeast cells, which is evidence that yeasts are converting food to energy and are living organisms.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12)
Title: Diving Into the Dewey Decimal System
Description: This lesson reinforces an introduction to the Dewey Decimal System to grades 3-5 with a game. Small competing groups locate books on the shelves. Groups are given a time limit to locate as many books from a numbered card stack as possible by "diving into the bookshelves."
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Arts Education (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Arts Education (6 - 8)
Title: What's in Your Secret Garden?
Description: After reading F.H. Burnett's The Secret Garden, students create their own secret gardens and design a slideshow presentation of their gardens to share with the class.
Subject: Health Education (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: The Other Side of Sugar
Description: This lesson will identify the various types and quantities of sugars found in foods and how they affect our body. Students will discover the link between these foods and the disease called “diabetes.” The different types of diabetes will be discussed, along with preventative measures and medical requirements. Students will work in groups to research and prepare presentations in the form of slideshows, newsletters, display boards, or written reports for at least three of the content questions. Each group will respond to a different set of content questions in order to address all aspects of the unit. The culminating activity will be for each student to individually interview a person who has diabetes and capture their comments about the disease, how it affects them emotionally and physically, and how it has affected their families.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6)
Title: Our African American Heroes
Description: Students will create a short digital slideshow presentation and brochure on a famous black American.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (3 - 12), Technology Education (3 - 12)
Title: Spanish Travel Brochures
Description: Students will incorporate information from Internet research in creating original travel brochures for Spanish speaking countries using word processing or publishing software. Students could alternatively create wikis or podcasts.
Subject: Arts Education (K - 1), English Language Arts (K - 1), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (K - 1), English Language Arts (K - 1), Technology Education (K - 2), Arts Education (K - 1)
Title: Easter Egg Eggstravaganza
Description: Computer and language arts skills will be introduced, reinforced and enriched through Easter activities related to the book The Golden Egg by A.J. Wood.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), Social Studies (4)
Title: Alabama Brochure
Description: In this lesson students will learn about the state in which they live by using child-friendly Web sites to collect facts and pictures about Alabama.
Subject: Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: World War II: The Home Front
Description: World War II opened a new chapter in the lives of Americans. It was a time of social change and a marked increase in patriotism. In this lesson, students will explore how World War II affected civilians at home.
Subject: English Language Arts (7 - 8), Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (7), English Language Arts (7)
Title: Thinking Hobbit
Description: This is an introductory lesson designed to stimulate student interest in reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. The lesson familiarizes students with the physical traits and social codes used to guide hobbit behavior, and then looks at the Plus, Minus, and Interesting ideas (PMI), as well as the influencing factors, that might shape a hobbit's thoughts when faced with the prospect of going on an adventure.
Subject: Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Chemical Reaction in a Bag
Description: Students will use scientific methods in creating and observing a chemical reaction.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: An Author Study: Christopher Paul Curtis and his novel The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963
Description: This five-day lesson will introduce the students to the author of the novel as the beginning of a unit. The students will conduct research to obtain biographical information about the author and read/analyze summaries and critiques of the author's writing. Finally, the students will create brochures or flyers to highlight the author as a guest at a mock author's conference.
Subject: Science (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Sonar Mapping of the Ocean Floor
Description: Mapping the ocean floor must be done by indirect observation. One method involves bouncing a sonar signal off of the ocean floor and measuring the length of time this signal takes to return. This length can be translated into distance: Distance=Speed of Sound X Time/2. In this lab, students will be making indirect observations using a wooden rod as the "sonar signal."
Subject: Mathematics (K), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K)
Title: Counting Zero to Five
Description: Students will be introduced in this lesson to the numerals zero through five. Students will associate the numeral with the correct number of objects. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the quantities zero through five showing "How many?" by counting their fingers or using a closed fist for zero.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (10), English Language Arts (10 - 12), English Language Arts (10 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Illustrating Imagery in Poetry
Description: Students will select a favorite poem from a class poetry unit, from Poem Finder, included in the Alabama Virtual Library, or from other online sources or poetry collections in the school library, and create a collage or digitally-produced illustration of the poem's imagery.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (11), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Calling All Books!
Description: High school students learn the basic outline of the Library of Congress Classification system that is used in larger college and public libraries. The class will place a collection of books into the correct classifications. An introductory lesson on the 21 main classifications and sub-categories and an online tutorial will prepare the students to catalog and shelve the books.
Subject: English Language Arts (12), English Language Arts (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Gossip to Learn: A Juicy Approach to Research
Description: Though teachers might use this student-centered, technology-based, one or two-day research project to introduce any author, English 12 teachers may wish to use the lesson to jump-start a unit on British literature from the Romantic period. The Shelleys, Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Lord Byron, for example, lived lives chockful of enough tantalizing secrets to keep their peers whispering over the fence forever. Generate interest in Romantic poetry and fiction as students use technology to delve into the oh-so-interesting lives of assigned authors.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: "What Happened Next?"--Sequencing With The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
Description: This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn and practice the skill of sequencing. Students also improve in comprehension skills, previewing and predicting skills, and drawing conclusions.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Mathematics (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (5)
Title: Dream Vacation
Description: This unit teaches students to plan a trip with an itinerary, remain within a budget, and work cooperatively. It is a technology-based project that combines a study of mathematics, economics, geography, and social studies.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Identifying Solid Figures
Description: This is a hands-on activity in which students identify and learn the characteristics of solid figures. Figures studied are squares (cubes), rectangles (rectangular prisms), circles (cylinders, cones and spheres), ovals, and triangles (cones). Candy is used to represent the shapes in the activity.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Animal Adaptations
Description: Students use technology tools to research and produce a multimedia product on animals and their habitats. This a collaborative project involving the library media specialist, classroom teacher, and special education teacher.
Subject: Mathematics (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7)
Title: Investigating Integers
Description: Students will create a multimedia presentation to demonstrate their understanding of integers. Within this presentation they will include information on how to compare and order integers and how to add and subtract integers by writing about situations where they may encounter integers. Additionally, they will create a word problem with a solution that reflects their understanding of adding or subtracting negative and positive integers.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: You Mean ANYTHING To The Zero Power Is One?
Description: This lesson is a technology-based project to reinforce concepts related to the Exponential Function. It can be used in conjunction with any textbook practice set. Construction of computer models of several Exponential Functions will promote meaningful learning rather than memorization.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (4 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Better Living Through Science
Description: This lesson involves research on scientists whose accomplishments have impacted areas of nutrition, sanitation, or health care. Students will research an area of their choice, record information on a graphic organizer, and use the information to write a five-paragraph narrative essay to present to the class.
Subject: Science (4), Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Creature Comforts
Description: What do living things need to survive? In this unit, students explore different habitats and the adaptations made by living things to survive. Students will create a website matching an animal’s adaptations to its environment. Then, they will contribute a slide to a multimedia presentation of imaginary creatures and their adaptations to a habitat.
Subject: Social Studies (6), Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Weapons of World War I
Description: The students will use the Internet and the school's media center to discover the weapons of World War I. They will compare and contrast the weapons used during that time period with the weapons that are used in warfare today. At the conclusion of the lesson, the students will create a digital slideshow with the history, uses, and changes in old and new military technology.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 5), Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Now You See Me...Now You Don't!
Description: An animal’s physical characteristics, such as its body color, may give it a better chance of survival. For example, the body colors of many animals blend with their background. In this investigation, students will see that body color may help some animals survive by making them nearly invisible to predators. This lesson is designed to introduce students to the concept of camouflage as an animal adaptation.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 12), Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: The 7 Essentials of Tone Production
Description: This is an ongoing lesson for Middle Level bands. The 7 concepts that are taught affect every aspect of a young instrumentalist's performance. The lesson uses teacher/peer modeling and recordings of professional musicians and service bands to demonstrate the desired tonal qualities.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Safety in the Science Lab
Description: Students, working in groups, write and produce a video on laboratory safety. This can be done as an interdiciplinary activity with the English and/or drama departments.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Planning a Family Vacation
Description: Students will use the Internet to explore different vacation opportunities for the family. Using a given set of criteria, students will compile data in a table, then use the data to create a tri-fold brochure and a slideshow presentation.
Subject: Health Education (9 - 12), Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Technical Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Diseases and Medical Conditions
Description: This is a technology-based research project designed to gather information about a given disease or medical condition and to present that information to a class by using a slideshow presentation. This health class lesson will address Career Technical skills through development of slideshow slides with transitions, animations, and timing features. It will also utilize a variety of input devices such as a digital camera, scanner, CD-ROM, and the Internet.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5), Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: The Native Americans and Their Environment
Description: The students will research Native American groups and relate how the environment affected their lifestyles and cultures. The students will create a slideshow presentation depicting this relationship. The students will compare Native American groups in order to observe the differences in their lifestyles and cultures.
Subject: Science (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: It's a Small, Small World
Description: As an introduction to the study of diversity of life, science students
will use hands-on inquiry experiments to discover the microscopic world through a microscope.
Students will use computers to create a brochure or slideshow
presentation to show the three kinds of protists.
Students will learn the importance of all life in our biosphere.
Subject: Physical Education (7 - 8)
Title: Introduction to Archery - "Early Participation, Early Success"
Description: According to the National Archery Association Manual, the most important part of safety/orientation is " Early Participation, Early Success." Students will be taught archery rande rules and procedures. Students will also learn the whistle system associated with this archery program.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Library of Congress Classification System
Description: Students will be introduced to the Library of Congress Classification System by viewing two online tutorials. The students will make flash cards in order to study the main classes of the Library of Congress Classification System. The students will practice sequencing call numbers in the order in which they are arranged on the shelf. Students will refer to the call number to locate a specific book in a university library.
Subject: Science (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Atoms and Models of Atoms
Description: This lesson introduces students to scientific models. The students will learn how models of the atom have changed as new evidence is gathered. The students will also learn about the current model of the atom. Each student will make a model of an atom of a different element.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Memory Preservation--One Relative at a Time
Description: After organizing and conducting an interview of a grandparent/senior citizen, students create a slideshow presentation using the information and memorabilia collected at the interview.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Narrative Writing: The Autobiographical Incident
Description: After organizing their thoughts using a graphic organizer, students write a narrative essay which relates an autobiographical incident. Students present their essays in a slideshow which allows their classmates to practice predicting an outcome as they guess the ending of the narrative. Some of the essays will be included in a class newsletter created by the students.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Examining the Lives of Black Alabamians: Do You Have What It Takes to Make a Difference?
Description: Students compare and contrast their lives and character traits with those of famous black Alabamians. Students use technology to conduct research and write an expository essay.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 12), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (10 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Preparing to Write the Research Paper: An Information Location Mini-lesson
Description: This lesson introduces students to research materials in the library and electronic materials available through the Alabama Virtual Library(AVL). The instruction emphasizes "how-to-use" multi-volume encyclopedias, multi-volume reference sets, books, and various electronic databases. Instruction includes where to locate bibliographic information within these various materials for a research paper and how to cite bibliographic information.
Subject: Mathematics (K - 2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Animal Cracker Sorting
Description: In this lesson students will be given the opportunity to practice using mathematical vocabulary to describe a set of data. Following data collection students will also create a graph using the computer.
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6 - 7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Reading Buddies
Description: Students will increase reading and writing proficiency and heighten interest in reading through this Reading Buddy program. During this two-week unit each middle school student will use technology tools to create an original holiday theme book and present it to an elementary student in the community. The student will also read aloud a library book and develop a hands-on activity to coincide with the theme.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: From Here to Technology
Description: Students will create a slide on an assigned topic that will become part of a class presentation. The class presentation will trace the evolution of the computer, identify the pioneers of technology, investigate the impact technology has had on the workplace and society, and examine how technology has influenced the course of history in geneeral. This project is a semester long assignment with required progress due each six weeks. Computer lab time will need to be made available either during or after school throughout the semester.
Subject: Family and Consumer Sciences Education (9 - 12), Health Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: What’s in the Can?
Description: This lesson is designed to teach students to read labels and to become more aware of the nutritional values found in different kinds of foods. According to the FDA guidelines, Americans should limit the amount of sodium, sugar, and saturated fat, and increase the amount of fiber in their diets. Students will be given the opportunity to evaluate different foods and become more aware of what foods contain carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals as well as which ones are high in salt, sugar and fiber.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Are You Picking Up What I'm Putting Down?
Description: How are magnetism and electricity related? Students will explore the relationship between magnetism and electricity, learn how to construct an electromagnet, and discover everyday uses of electromagnets. Students will create a multimedia presentation in which they will demonstrate their knowledge of electromagnetism.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: New Town Health Club
Description: Over the course of the year, the students in Human Anatomy and Physiology will design a health club. As part of this year-long project, the students will develop a brochure or print advertisement for the health club. This project will give real-world experience to the student in the use of various forms of technology as well as a connection between actual situations and class content.
Subject: Science (4), Mathematics (4), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Explosive Fun with Volcanoes
Description: In this lesson the students will work in groups to make their own volcanoes and learn the different aspects of a volcano.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6 - 8)
Title: Career Exploration for the Middle School Student
Description: This is a technology-based career guidance project during which students select a career to research on the Internet. Students will create slideshow presentations of information on selected careers and present the slideshows to the class.
Subject: Social Studies (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: The Fourteenth Century
Description: Students will study the upheaval and uncertainty of living during the 14th century. They will read about the Hundred Years War, the plague, and the schism within the Catholic church.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Working With Vocabulary
Description: This lesson focuses on enhancing students' vocabulary usage and spelling which, in turn, benefits reading.
This lesson also includes keyboarding practice and computer usage.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Alone: Research for Survival
Description: This role-playing lesson enhances students' creativity and develops critical thinking skills. Small groups of students conduct Internet research on the skills necessary to survive when marooned on a Pacific island. Groups present their findings to the class.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: "The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven" -- A Lesson on Verbs
Description: Using the poem "The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven" written by Jack Prelutsky, students will explore verbs, synonyms, and poetry.
Subject: Mathematics (3), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3)
Title: Delicious Fractions
Description: This lesson will be implemented during a study of fractions. Manipulatives and the Internet will be used to explore fractions.
Subject: English Language Arts Reading Addendum (5), English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Career Capers
Description: This lesson will focus on career/job information. This interdisciplinary lesson integrates reading, writing, interview and research skills. Students will research careers through print and on-line sources, conduct interviews, and present their findings in a written/oral report.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9)
Title: Exploring the Accomplishments of African American Scientists
Description: This lesson is designed to allow students to explore the accomplishments of African American scientists through print and non-print media, as well as personal interviews. Students will work in pairs or small groups to create a slideshow presentation illustrating the topic.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (6 - 12), Social Studies (7), English Language Arts (7 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 12), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (7), English Language Arts (7)
Title: A Guided Tour of Paris
Description: Students will play the role of a Paris tour guide. Traveling on the Paris Metro System, students will guide tourists through the city to point out the location and important facts of major historical landmarks.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6 - 8)
Title: The Diary of Anne Frank: How Would I Survive?
Description: After reading the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, The Diary of Anne Frank, by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, student groups examine the coping strategies of the people in the Secret Annex. Then, each student develops a personal survival plan to be included in a group slideshow presentation which addresses this question: How would I survive if I experienced the same stressful situation? Additionally, the students discuss current world situations that necessitate coping strategies.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (8)
Title: What about Steinbeck's The Pearl?
Description: In this three week unit on the novel The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, students examine and discuss the characteristics of a novel, compare and contrast the novel to folk tales and short stories, write chapter summaries and essays, and conduct Internet research to prepare slideshow presentations on related topics, including both those reflecting cultural differences of the novel's characters and those issues involving the economic principle of supply and demand.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Science (1), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Habitats
Description: What is a habitat? In this lesson, students will identify that a habitat has four elements, food, water, shelter, and space. Students will identify their own habitat and create a brochure describing the habitat in terms of food, water, shelter, and space. They will work in cooperative groups to create a multimedia presentation describing the food, water, shelter, and space needs of one animal.
Subject: English Language Arts (10 - 12), English Language Arts (10 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Sharing Summer Reading Through Literature Circles
Description: This lesson allows students to discuss the assigned summer reading in literature circles with respect to plot, character, and theme. Students work in groups of three to four to produce a slideshow presentation of one of the novels read. Each group shares its presentation with the class.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6)
Title: Who Wrote That? -- Reporting on Books by the Same Author
Description: Students will read two chapter books by the same author, compare/contrast the books using graphic organizers, research biographical information on the author, and create a slideshow presentation and/or a brochure about the books and authors to share with the class.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts Reading Addendum (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: All About Us: Writing and Presenting Poetry
Description: In this lesson students write a poem about their class and classmates. Students then transfer their poems to individual presentation slides which are combined with their classmates' slides to create a class slideshow presentation. This presentation can be printed to create a class ABC book.
Subject: Health Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Bones: Framework of the Body
Description: In this lesson students will do a hands-on study of the bones using a laboratory skeleton and use media center and online resources to enhance their knowledge of the bones of the body and diseases and injuries to the skeletal system. The students will present information gained from research in a slideshow presentation as well as a newsletter.
Subject: English Language Arts (3 - 4), Science (4), English Language Arts (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Landforms Acrostic Poetry
Description: Students will write acrostic poems using scientific information about various landforms. These poems will reinforce concepts learned in science.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Parts of a Friendly Letter
Description: The teacher will use charts, worksheets, and websites to orient students about the five parts of a friendly letter.
Subject: English Language Arts (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: "Dear Santa, It's Me!"
Description: In this lesson students will become familiar with a digital camera and will increase word processing and keyboarding skills by writing a friendly letter to Santa.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9)
Title: Researching Dolphins as Endangered Mammals
Description: In this interdisciplinary lesson, students work in groups of 3-4 to use the Internet for research. Students create reports and slideshow presentations (optional) defining dolphins as mammals and as an endangered species. Students will also propose ways to prevent extinction.
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6 - 8)
Title: Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover: Biography Presentations
Description: With this extensive hands-on, interdisciplinary, technology-based multimedia project, students will compile data about a famous or notable person using media center resources and the Internet. Students will also participate in an interview scenario.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (7 - 8)
Title: Using Graphic Organizers to Develop a Character Analysis
Description: This hands-on, technology-based lesson enables students of all ability levels to organize the traits of main characters and to develop a character analysis. Students choose two main characters from myths, legends, or fables to create both a slideshow presentation and a newsletter demonstrating their conclusions.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Taking the Mystery out of Writing a Mystery
Description: This mystery-writing lesson focuses on the structure of a short story and the elements of a mystery in particular. Students complete the entire writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Students demonstrate the ability to write in a different voice for a different audience by rewriting their own mystery stories as a news article. Students then work together to create a newsletter about all the students' mysteries.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (6 - 7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Welcome to the World of Verbs
Description: In this comprehensive study of the verb, students participate in play-acting, creative writing, word processing, and pencil-paper activities. A teacher-made slideshow presentation with student friendly Web links introduces the lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), English Language Arts (9)
Title: The Most Dangerous Murder Trial
Description: This lesson is designed to help students with reading comprehension skills. Students will make inferences and apply listening skills as they role-play a trial of the main character.
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 8), Arts Education (6), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: In Search of Rhyme and Reason
Description: Students in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade language arts class will read The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Discussions and activities will focus on idioms as they are used in the English language.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (8)
Title: Heroes in Greek Mythology
Description: This lesson examines the characteristics of Greek heroes and leads students to recognize references to Greek mythological heroes found in literature and culture today. Students will present analyses of heroes by defending their favorites in a slideshow presentation nominating them for selection to a Heroes' Hall of Fame.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Big Dropper – The Life Cycle of a Raindrop
Description: Students will research the Internet, Alabama Virtual Library, online and printed encyclopedias, and other reference material to gather information on the water cycle. Students will then use the gathered data to create a slideshow presentation and a newsletter demonstrating their understanding of the water cycle.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Elapsed Time
Description: Students will discover and practice finding elapsed time using student clocks.
Subject: Mathematics (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (2)
Title: Math in the Outdoors: A Geometric Scavenger Hunt
Description: Math activities taught outdoors enable students to learn important math skills as they explore their natural environment. This lesson will allow students to associate math experiences directly with life situations.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6 - 8)
Title: Identifying the Elements of Plot in a Short Story
Description: Students become motivated readers as they read, comprehend, and interpret a short story. Students present plot diagrams in slideshows and additional information about the author in a brochure.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: United States Virtual Tour Guide
Description: Groups/pairs of students will create a short digital slide presentation and travel brochure on one of the 50 U.S. states. They will do research in encyclopedias/atlases and on the Internet to include information on geography, official state information (state bird, flower, song, etc.), and a travel destination within that state. Presentations can be combined to create one slideshow covering all 50 states.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), English Language Arts (7)
Title: Using Fairy Tales to Teach the Elements of a Short Story
Description: Familiar fairy tales are used as guides to help students analyze the elements of the short story: plot, theme, setting, point of view, and character.
Subject: English Language Arts (7), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Scrapbook Book Report
Description: After reading independently a novel or biography, students in this creative writing activity demonstrate their understanding of characterization and point of view by creating the main character's personal scrapbook.
Subject: Mathematics (4), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Abundant Area
Description: This is an inquiry and technology-based lesson that allows students to discover the relationship between perimeter and area. Students apply problem-solving strategies to solve the real-life problem posed in this lesson. This lesson may easily be divided into sections and completed over several days if needed.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), English Language Arts (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Digital Autobiography
Description: In this lesson, students will create original poetry and prose and will assemble a written autobiographical booklet in a middle school language arts class. After all poetry and prose are written, students will create a digital slideshow to give a multimedia dimension to one or more of the selections.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Alabama the Beautiful
Description: This hands–on unit combines social studies, map skills, writing, and technology. Researching famous Alabamians and exploring the state's landmarks help students develop an appreciation for their state.
Subject: Science (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Researching the Oceans of the Earth
Description: This unit is a result of collaboration between the librarian and the 5th grade Science teacher. The Ocean Unit developed by the librarian is hands-on research in various areas of the library utilizing print, software and Internet access. During research students will collect information to complete a folder, brochure, PowerPoint presentation and a webpage.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Clay Animation
Description: This is a hands-on, technology-based project to incorporate creative writing and technology in the classroom. Clay Animation is one way of presenting a story in a nonverbal way.
Subject: Science (8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Newton's Laws of Motion
Description: Students use toy cars, a CBR sonic motion detector, and pennies to investigate Newton's Laws of Motion.
Subject: Arts Education (K), Technology Education (K - 2), Arts Education (K)
Title: Red Plus Blue Makes Something New!
Description: Primary and secondary colors are important concepts for young children to master. This lesson explores this concept using a variety of technology.
Subject: Science (K - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Wanted Dead or Alive!
Description: In this lesson students will identify the characteristics of living and nonliving things.
Subject: Social Studies (5), English Language Arts (5), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Description: This lesson will focus on how bills become laws. This interdisciplinary lesson combines social studies, language arts and reading skills and concepts. Students will research the topic through the Internet and other digital resources and then present information gathered orally and visually.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Parabola
Description: This lesson is a technology-based project to reinforce previously taught concepts related to the quadratic equation. It can be used in conjunction with any textbook practice set. Through technology students expand their existing knowledge base related to the solutions of a quadratic equation, the upward or downward position, the vertex, and the width between paths. As students discover the relationship between the solutions and the x-intercepts, prior knowledge about the quadractic formula is connected to the graph of the equation--making the quadratic formula more than a "recipe."
Subject: Mathematics (3), Mathematics (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4)
Title: Budgeting for the Oregon Trail
Description: As a part of the online collaborative unit, Westward Ho!, students will work in cooperative groups of 4-5 students to decide what items they need to take on the Oregon Trail, determine the cost of the items, and complete a ledger to inventory (keep up with) items used on the trail. Information will then be used as part of a multimedia slideshow journal describing the journey.
Subject: Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: Spreadsheets 101
Description: This lesson introduces students to the function and use of spreadsheets. It includes a Power Point presentation (to be used by the teacher) as well as beginning student assignments.
Subject: Science (3)
Title: Closing the Loop on Recycling
Description: We buy goods that can be recycled. We recycle. We buy goods made from recyables. This closes the recycling loop. This lesson investigates all of the steps in the process.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), English Language Arts (10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Beaver Mountain Bike Tours Presentation
Description: Students will create, design and give a multimedia presentation about Beaver Mountain Bike Tours to pursuade travel agents to use their service. Presentations will include digital photography, Excel graphs, Word tables, and organizational graphs in PowerPoint. This is a business simulation that students will complete after finishing all major sections in the Microsoft Office Suite and is a culmulation of all of the skills learned previously. The total business simulation was created by Carl Lyman.
Subject: Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: The Parts of a Computer
Description: In this lesson students will identify the basic parts of a computer and the functions of each component. Students will create a model of a computer.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Technology and You
Description: In this lesson students will use the Internet to find examples of how technology has impacted human lives. They will then determine of what value these are to their own lives.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Taking Care of Classroom Computers
Description: This lesson will orient students as to the proper procedures for use of computers, equimment, and media. Students will be given a list of procedures to follow and the teacher will demonstrate the proper procedures.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: It's Not Just a Job
Description: Students will use various electronic information sources to research and create a multimedia presentation on a career and a well-known person engaged in that career field. They will be expected to use CD-ROM and Internet sources and create a bibliography.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Classifying Plants Using Technology
Description: This lesson teaches students to use taxonomic groupings to classify plants found on the school grounds. Students will be photographing, analyzing, and comparing species.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: AUP! Is it for ME?
Description: A district/school Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) will be the main instrument used in this lesson. Students will interpret and make inferences about their school/district AUP. AUP contracts encourage responsible behavior by students and staff and give administrators enforceable rules for acceptable use of school computers and network services.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: One-Page Academic Reports (MLA Style)
Description: Students will use word processing software to format a one-page academic report. This report style (MLA) can be used in any subject. The lesson may be extended to include multiple pages, citations, and a works cited page.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Independent Research Project
Description: Students will use the Internet to gather key facts using a variety of online resources.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: Employability Skills
Description: Students will understand how employability skills enhance their employment opportunities and job satisfaction. They will demonstrate key employability skills and will maintain and upgrade skills as needed.
Subject: English Language Arts (1 - 2), Science (1 - 2), English Language Arts (1 - 2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Beginner's AVL (Alabama Virtual Library)
Description: Students will research the red fox using an online encyclopedia from the Alabama Virtual Library web site and answer questions provided by the teacher. This is a good lesson for students' first experience in using the AVL.
Subject: Arts Education (4 - 8), Technology Education (3 - 8), Arts Education (4 - 8)
Title: The "T" in Art is for Thinking
Description: This lesson provides fourth through eighth grade gifted and talented students with a research-based project, and can also be used with art and language arts students from sixth through ninth grade. Students will design and create a slideshow presentation as a vehicle for analyzing a painting. Using the art criticism process, students will describe and analyze the art elements and principles of design and provide an interpretation of a painting of their choice. Biographical information about the artist and contextual knowledge concerning the art period/movement and the associated historical times may be included.
Subject: Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Experiencing Newton's Laws of Motion
Description: This lesson will approach the study of Newton's 3 Laws of Motion using McGraw-Hill Science textbook Unit F. The students will be given an overview of the laws and vocabulary words to study. After introducing and explaining the concept of the laws, the students will be divided into three groups and provided a syllabus for producing a multimedia presentation of one of the laws. The lesson will culminate with the presentation by the students and an activity time in which the laws will be explored with games and activities.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Science (1), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 1), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: The Grouchy Ladybug
Description: The students will thoughtfully listen to a story read aloud and comprehend the sequence of events. This lesson will culminate units completed in science and math and will incorporate literature, science, and math.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Reading Partners
Description: Students will read a story from their readers in pairs, alternating paragraphs.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Service Learning Project
Description: Students will design and implement a service project to be done as a class in a familiar community (neighborhood or school).
Subject: Science (7 - 12), Mathematics (7), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (7), Mathematics (7)
Title: How Big Can a Bee Be?
Description: Students will study the relationship between surface area and volume. Math, science, and technology components are included.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: National Park Road Trip
Description: This lesson allows students to use computer skills they have learned to do a research project on national parks. The students will research a park, plan a trip to a park, keep a "journal" of the trip, document their sources using MLA style, and then make a presentation to the class.
Subject: Social Studies (6), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Forming Unions
Description: This activity uses technology to generate interest in the study of labor unions. Students will use the Internet for research and conclude with a presentation about union leaders or labor organizations.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Creating a Payroll Spreadsheet
Description: Spreadsheet software allows you to calculate numbers arranged in rows and columns for specific financial tasks. This activity allows students to create an "Employee Work/Pay Schedule" spreadsheet to reinforce spreadsheet skills. Students will practice spreadsheet skills by entering data, creating formulas, and using formatting commands.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Ballistic Statistics!
Description: Students will collect examples of various statistical instruments and form an electronic scrapbook. These materials will be gathered from electronic sources in addition to periodicals and other print resources.
Subject: Family and Consumer Sciences Education (7 - 9), Character Education (K - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: How to Set the Table Correctly
Description: The Family and Consumer Science (FACS) portion of this lesson provides opportunities for students to utilize acceptable guidelines for table setting. A basic computer research component familiarizes students with fundamental processes of online investigation. Students will then work in groups to create slideshow presentations to teach other students how to correctly set a table.
Subject: Mathematics (2 - 3), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (K - 3)
Title: Hundred Blocks Board
Description: In this lesson students will practice adding, subtracting, and multiplying without regrouping using a hundred blocks board. Students will be given opportunities to identify and discuss different patterns that they discover and relate number patterns to visual patterns.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: There's Power in Position
Description: In order to be able to succeed in the world of work, students must learn the importance of getting along with others in the workplace. The FFA organization provides many opportunities for students to develop this skill. This lesson will give students an opportunity to work with others to accomplish a task.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Who Am I? "Picture Perfect Portfolio"
Description: In this lesson students will take a look at their skills and abilities and assess job readiness thus far in their training. The project will consist of the students' collection of work that illustrates and/or portrays their skills, abilities, and ambitions. It will contain a letter of introduction, work samples, samples of products and projects, and their proficiency components. It will also include job-seeking information such as a job application, cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation.
This will be done in a notebook or possibly a scrapbook format, depending on the individual instructor's wishes.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Now That I Have The Job - What's Next?
Description: Once employed, students need to be aware of personnel issues that will affect their employment. This unit will provide insight into these issues.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Career Research Project
Description: In this lesson students will complete an interest survey. From the results of the survey they will choose one career field, research it, and present their findings to the class.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: My Business or Yours?
Description: When students are considering starting a business, they need to understand all the factors involved. This unit will help them to make wise decisions in business planning.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: How To Get the Job
Description: This activity exposes students to skills necessary to apply for and obtain employment. Students identify job openings, then select and apply for a job, including developing a cover letter, resume, job application form, and mock interview.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Safety Is No Accident
Description: Students will work in teams to devise a safety checklist, complete a safety survey, and devise forms for reporting accidents. They will create, read, and interpret a bar graph from given information, research causes and prevention of accidents, list findings, and explain the importance of ergonomics in a given department/working area.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Your Dream Job is Waiting For You
Description: Students will investigate and prepare a computer-generated promotional brochure on a career of choice. The brochure will include the education and skills needed to be successful in that career. It will also include a job description, postsecondary institutions to attend, salary scale and future job outlook. Students will interview two individuals in the chosen career regarding the positive and negative aspects of the career and include responses as testimonials in the brochure.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Looking Backward --- Moving Forward
Description: This lesson is an exploration of a chosen career. A guest speaker will answer questions from the worker interview form or students will visit someone in a chosen occupation area and conduct the interview. Students will research their chosen careers through use of Internet, books, magazines, videos, etc., and write a summary of the information, predicting what lies ahead for them and explaining how and where they plan to be ten years from now in this career field, using a timeline. Oral presentations will be the culminating activity of this lesson.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Am I The One For The Job???????
Description: In order to be successful in obtaining employment, students need to be introduced to the job-seeking process.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Use It or Lose It --- Time is Money
Description: After reading a story about the importance of time, the students will make a chart reflecting how they used their time for a one -week period. Next they will analyze how they used their time and decide how to make better use of it. For the final activity the students will read about a business that was experiencing poor time management by employees on the job and calculate what it cost the business.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: It Is in the Blood
Description: Students will research blood borne pathogens and OSHA recommendations for Universal Precautions. They will develop a safety sign (8.5 x 11) to be used in the workplace to remind employees of the need for universal precautions. Invited guests can be used to judge the signs. Signs can also be offered to local health care facilities for display.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Technology and Health Care - A Healthy Partnership
Description: Students will work in teams to research and identify 5 achievements and/or advancements in technology that have occurred in the past 20 years affecting health care. One achievement/advancement will be chosen from the list for further research and presentation purposes. Presentations will cover the significance of the event as it relates to the delivery of health care, and will include visual aids and a bibliography of sources.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Who is the Best Teacher?
Description: Student teams are given a scenario requiring conversions and/or other math operations used in health careers. The team will study and complete the math activities. The team will assign duties, prepare hand-outs and will teach the rest of the class how to perform the calculations and/or conversions. The winning team will show the most improvement on the post-test.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: The Bottom Line- Ethical Expectations of the Employer
Description: Students will work as a team to solve a problem involving ethical behavior in the workplace. They also will analyze a list of behaviors as to whether they are ethical or unethical. The team will present and defend its solution.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Stepping Stones to a Career: Developing an Individualized Career Plan
Description: This is a project-based lesson plan designed to guide students through the steps of designing an individual career plan. The lesson focuses on enabling students to use technology to inquire about prospective careers.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: You and the Wacky World of Business: A Lesson on the Preparation of a Business Plan
Description: This is an activity/project-based lesson plan designed to guide students through the steps of starting a business. The lesson focuses on enabling students to use technology to assist in the formation of an entrepreneurial business. This plan can be used for the second half of the course. Some educators may want to start a school-based company. This lesson can be modified according to your wants/needs.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: What's Your Problem? - A Lesson Plan for Solving On-The-Job Problems.
Description: This is a project-based lesson plan designed to guide students through the steps of problem-solving when on the job. The lesson focuses on the student's ability to use creative thinking to solve problems that may occur in a workplace setting. This is a one-week lesson plan designed for use in any Family and Consumer Science class or may be modified for other Career Technical Education classes.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Obtaining Employment
Description: In this lesson students will learn the correct procedures for finding and applying for a job.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Safety on the Job
Description: This lesson will help students understand the importance of safe work procedures, not only for themselves but others as well. This unit will explore safe and healthy work standards in the workplace.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Professional Behavior
Description: Students will learn to behave in a professional manner. They will be expected to behave professionally and ethically in class. They will be graded on their professional and ethical behavior.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Am I Safe at the Workplace?: Safety and Health Concerns in the Workplace
Description: This is an activity/project-based lesson plan designed to guide students through the steps of preventing accidents in the workplace. Learning the right way to do one's job is the primary rule for studying safety policies and procedures.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Tools For Success: A Study in Employer/Personnel Issues, Ethics, and Professional Behavior
Description: This is a project-based lesson plan designed to guide students through the steps of learning about relationships and situations encountered on the job. The lesson focuses on the ethics, teamwork, and professional behavior skills needed in any workplace setting as well as other related employer/personnel issues.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Managing Finances
Description: Students will examine personal money management, managing business finances, and preparing for new business startup. They will create a budget, compute payroll taxes, research business startup financing, and develop a business plan for an imaginary business.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Exploring Entrepreneurship
Description: In this lesson students will build a personal definition of entrepreneurship as they discuss the lives and businesses of famous entrepreneurs, listen to a local entrepreneur speak, and interview an entrepreneur in the community.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Employer/Personnel Issues
Description: The class will discuss issues relating to employer/personnel. They will work together in groups to write a guide for new employees. They will also create a classroom policy handbook.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Personal and Professional Growth
Description: Students will work together to improve their community while learning valuable life and employability skills. They will design and execute their own community service project. When the project is over, students will conduct a meeting and present their community service project to a local business or civic club.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: "FCCLA-The Community Connection" - Planning a Community Service Project
Description: This is a project-based lesson designed to guide students through the steps of planning a student organization community service project. The lesson focuses on the students' ability to apply knowledge and skills gained through participation in FCCLA [Family, Career & Community Leaders of America, a national youth organization for students in Family & Consumer Sciences Education] to community issues and /or needs. The project involves planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication. This four- to five-day lesson plan is designed for use in any Family & Consumer Sciences class or can be modified for other Career Technical Education classes.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Impact of Technology
Description: Students will use the Internet to discover the impact of technology on a variety of areas.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Exploring Length and Perimeter
Description: In this lesson students manipulate and calculate the perimeter of geometric shapes on a grid through the use of a technology-based resource. Hands-on activities and class discussion reinforce the concept. This lesson can be used as a follow-up lesson or to introduce perimeter and length.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Technology - Use It or Lose It
Description: Students will explore the impact of technology as related to the field of Agriscience. This will be accomplished by the use of guest speakers, research, and hands - on activities.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Act Right or You Are Gone!!!!!
Description: Students need to understand the type of behavior that is expected by an employer. This unit covers a wide range of topics including professional behavior, workplace ethics, and problem solving skills.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: A Safe and Healthy Workplace
Description: Students will review federal and state safety regulations for workers and research safety and health regulations at different businesses. Students will use the knowledge they have gained to write safety procedures for the class and/or school.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Problem Solving at Work
Description: Students will learn the steps in problem solving. Using these steps, students will analyze three different workplace scenarios and find a solution to the problems.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Are My Math Skills Sharp Enough? -Reviewing Basic On-The-Job Math Skills
Description: This is an activity-based lesson plan designed to guide students through the basic mathematical skills needed in a workplace setting. The lesson focuses on basic skills required to use a ruler, read charts/diagrams, and perform computations involving weights and measurements.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Ready, Set, Go! - Preparing a Career/Employment Portfolio
Description: This is a project-based lesson plan designed to guide students through the steps of designing an individual career/employment portfolio. This lesson provides students with ideas, exercises, and approaches to successful employment.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Measurement Mania
Description: In this lesson students will review the English and metric measurement systems and compute how much paint and carpet would be needed to redecorate their classroom.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Entrepreneurship: Creating A New Business/Business in A Box
Description: In this lesson students will explore the steps involved in starting a new business. This will include preparing a ten-page Business Plan, building a model of the business, and presenting the business idea in a role-play situation where students ask for financing for the business.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Job Application Skills and Techniques: Job Interviewing 101
Description: In this lesson students will explore the process of successfully searching for a job. This will include the development of forms/documents which can assist the successful job-seeker. The submission of a portfolio and "mock" job interview will culminate this lesson.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: The Egg Drop
Description: The lesson will explore positive and negative team performance and behaviors.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Company Salute
Description: In this lesson students will explore employee/employer issues related to a specific job/company. Students will then design a poster presenting or “saluting” the job/company they researched and share information with the class.
Subject: Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Money Matters: Where Does It Go?
Description: In this project students will utilize math and reasoning skills to develop a personal budget. By weighing their expenses as "wants" vs. "needs," students will develop management skills and learn the importance of getting the most out of the money they earn.
Subject: Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K), Mathematics (K)
Title: Subtraction Fun!
Description: The students will be introduced to the concept of subtraction. They will use different manipulatives to practice this concept. The students will also learn to recognize the minus sign.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12)
Title: Information Location Mini-lesson:
Encyclopedia Practice for Grades 3-5
Description: This lesson introduces using the print encyclopedia for grades 3-5. Students are assigned a topic which is selected from their social studies curriculum. Small groups are sent to the reference shelf to select the correct encyclopedia volume. Students then find specific information on the topic and note bibliographic information on a grade-appropriate worksheet.
Subject: Science (4), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Power of the Presentation
Description: Students will research an endangered African animal using resources from the Alabama Virtual Library and other Internet sites, and then design and present a persuasive and informative digital slideshow presentation on the animal and how to prevent extinction.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 6), English Language Arts (4 - 6), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Digital Slideshows: PowerPoint for the Novice
Description: Students will learn how to use presentation software to enhance learning. Student-created digital slideshow presentations can span the curriculum. Each student will prepare a presentation in one of the following curriculum areas: reading/literature, mathematics, social studies, or science. The presentations will be created in the classroom or in the technology/computer lab. Students will access the Internet, Alabama Virtual Library, and local libraries for their information.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K)
Title: Being a Good Classroom Neighbor
Description: The counselor will lead a discussion on "good neighbor" classroom behavior and the importance of perseverance in school and in life.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12)
Title: “My favorite thing to do is . . . ”
Description: The counselor, through discussion and encouraging the students to draw, will introduce the concept of individual skills and interests.
Subject: Social Studies (5)
Title: Articles of Confederation
Description: This lesson looks at the development of the constitutional government in the United States. Students use technology to explore history concepts.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (1)
Title: Coping with Rejection: Using Your Own Initiative
Description: Through play and counselor directed discussion and activities, students will recognize individual traits, activities, items, and talents that they may like that a peer may not like.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12)
Title: My Favorite Job
Description: This lesson is designed to encourage student participation in discussions of careers without consideration of gender. At this grade level students should be encouraged to express their perception of job characteristics without consideration of "man" jobs and "woman" jobs.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12)
Title: I’m "Thumbody"
Description: Through the activity of making a thumb print and drawing a picture of themselves around it, students will identify differences between themselves and others in the class.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12), Counseling and Guidance (1)
Title: Show and Tell
Description: This lesson is based on the traditional concept of "show and tell." Its purpose is to point out that each student may enjoy doing something different or playing with something different from the other students in the class.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (1)
Title: “I really want to ...“
Description: This lesson is a link between activities that students have done in the past and developing a plan to repeat the activity. It could also include a broadening of the past activity to include new aspects. It should address the actions that had to take place to allow the original activity to happen, and then include a listing of events that would have to take place to allow the activity to to be repeated.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K)
Title: Family Portrait
Description: This activity is intended to start to dispel gender stereotypes in occupations. Students will be exposed to a variety of jobs held by the parents of their classmates.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K)
Title: Circle of Friends
Description: This activity incorporates "I like me because ..." and "I like to do ..." The lesson allows students to express their individual likes without gender restriction and peer teasing.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K)
Title: People Who Wear Hats
Description: The "helping friends" and others in the community will be invited to speak to the class. Speakers should be in professions that require wearing hats as a part of the dress for the job.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (1)
Title: The Learning Tree
Description: Students will try to imagine changes in themselves over a three-year time frame. They will also list things that they expect to learn over the same time frame. The counselor will make a list of the students' stated changes.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: Effective Interview Techniques
Description: The lesson will begin with a lecture on the importance of effective interview techniques. A technology-based project will be assigned for students to use the Internet to gather information and then create either a slideshow presentation, a newsletter, or a web page that reflects information and tips on presenting yourself to an prospective employer. This lesson will follow units on basic keyboarding, word processing, presentations, desktop publishing, and web page creation. This lesson is part of a unit on using technology to explore careers.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Career/Technical Cooperative Education Program (9 - 12), English Language Arts (8 - 12), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (8 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Your English Mentor: How to Write a Career Research Paper
Description: This structural design will guide students in writing a career research paper from start to finish. They will gather information; cite sources MLA style; develop a thesis statement, outline, and paragraphs; and create a research paper with references.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Factoring Fanatic
Description: This activity is designed to give students practice in "finding" the correct factors to use when attempting to factor a trinomial. The students are provided with a Tic-Tac sheet to help them discover the relationship or pattern between two numbers. Students then use their discovery to fill in a second Tic Tac sheet. At this point students have uncovered the mystery of how to locate the appropriate factors in a given trinomial. They can now factor any trinomial placed in front of them!
Subject: English Language Arts (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 4)
Title: "Hot Dog" Book Reports
Description: Students will use a Makes Sense Strategies Think-sheet to learn to identify the characters, setting, main idea and details of a book read.
Subject: English Language Arts (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 4)
Title: Narrative Paragraphs
Description: Students learn to use a one-main idea Think-sheet for producing a narrative paragraph.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 6), English Language Arts (4 - 6)
Title: What is the Pulgar?
Description: This is a lesson for students in grades 4-6 to learn visualization, prediction, and sequencing.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 6), English Language Arts (4 - 6)
Title: Writing to determine, "What is a Pulgar?"
Description: This lesson plan is a writing follow-up to the guided reading lesson plan, "What is a Pulgar?" It utilizes a Makes Sense Strategies Think-sheet to guide the writing.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), English Language Arts (6)
Title: How Silk is Made
Description: This lesson focuses on sequencing using a narrative passage and Makes Sense Guided Reading Strategies.
Subject: Science (1), Mathematics (1), English Language Arts (1), Mathematics (K - 2), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: "Nuts" About Peanuts!! (Writing)
Description: This lesson will be implemented as part of a unit about plants. The students will describe the characteristics of a peanut and peanut butter (using their five senses) and record their observations/descriptions on a graphic organizer. Student understanding will be enhanced with the use of books, class discussions, and the Internet.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (4 - 5), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Koko’s Kitten by Dr. Francine Patterson
Description: After reading Koko’s Kitten, students will use the koko.org website to learn more about Koko the gorilla, send an email message to Koko, see Koko use sign language and learn from Koko how to sign three words.
Subject: Science (1), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: "Batty" About Bats!! (Reading)
Description: As a part of a week-long unit about bats, the students will identify the characteristics of a bat and organize the facts using Think-sheets. Student understanding will be enhanced with the use of books, poems, lectures, discussions, individual booklets, and the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4)
Title: Building Word Castles
Description: In this lesson, students will explore unfamiliar words found in various picture books by Patricia Polacco. Students will discover the meanings of unfamiliar words by using a dictionary and find synonyms and antonyms with a thesarus. The main goal of this lesson is to build vocabulary.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: Who is Little Red Riding Hood Anyway?
Description: This lesson compares and contrasts the traditional Litle Red Riding Hood, by the Brothers Grimm, to Little Red Cowboy Hat, by Susan Lowell.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Expository Writing: What kind of friend do you prefer?
Description: This is an expository writing activity using the Makes Sense Writing Strategies.
Subject: English Language Arts (K - 1), English Language Arts (K - 1)
Title: From an Ugly Caterpillar to a Beautiful Butterfly!
Description: This is a kindergarten reading lesson using a character analysis Think-sheet. Kindergartners will discuss characters, plot, and setting of a story.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9 - 12)
Title: Out of the Night That Covers Me, by Pat Cunningham Devoto
Description: Through the novel Out of the Night That Covers Me, students will explore the impact of racial segregation, family heritage, and the historical significance of pre-civil rights Alabama. This unit of study is recommended for students in 9th - 12th grade. It can be used in English or in History classes.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: Gummy Worm Writing
Description: This activity is designed to introduce descriptive writing. It can be used in grades 3-5.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!
Description: Students will read and discuss the story, Ira Sleeps Over, by Bernard Waber and write a persuasive paragraph about the story, using a Think-sheet to guide the writing.
Subject: Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Did You Hear the News?
Description: After studying about the differences between the North and South prior to the Civil War and how Alabama decided to secede from the Union, students will write a newspaper article on this important decision. They will go back in time and imagine they lived in Alabama as a journalist in the year of 1861. The articles will be published in newspaper format using Microsoft Publisher and distributed.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: So You Want Your Own Business!
Description: Students will explore the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business. The Internet will be used to research marketing, product availability and consumer desire for a specific business.
Subject: Science (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (1)
Title: "Batty" About Bats!! (Writing)
Description: As a part of a week-long unit about bats, the students will identify the characteristics of a bat and write an essay about bats. Student understanding will be enhanced through the use of books, poems, lectures, discussions, individual “flip books”, an art project, and the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Science (2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Tops & Bottoms by Janet Stevens
Description: Students will read and discuss Janet Stevens' book, Tops & Bottoms, and use it as a stepping stone to understanding character analysis, sequence of events, and main ideas and supporting details.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Mathematics (1), Science (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: "Nuts" About Peanuts! (Reading)
Description: The lesson will be implemented as part of a unit about plants. The students will learn about the growth cycle of a peanut and use a Five-Step Sequence Think-sheet to sequence the steps. They will also make predictions and complete activities to check their predictions/draw conclusions (including math skills of graphing and comparing). Student understanding will be enhanced with the use of books, class discussions, and the Internet.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4)
Title: Can you solve the problem?
Description: During this lesson, students will analyze ways in which the character(s) in stories solve problems encountered. Students will brainstorm in small groups possible solutions to realistic problems in order to enhance connections to problems found in literature. Students will then explore problems/solutions in a selection of picture books.
Subject: English Language Arts (2 - 4), English Language Arts (2 - 4)
Title: Text-to-Self and Text-to-World Connections in Reading
Description: Students will further their reading comprehension by associating real-life events with the events of a story.
Subject: Career Technologies (9 - 10), Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9), Technical Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Career Commercials
Description: This lesson has students create "commercials" for careers by using the Internet for research and a digital slideshow as the presentation method.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4)
Title: Hook those fish!
Description: Students will read chapter and picture books to discover how the author "hooked" the reader. Students will then practice using the same strategies in their own writing.
Subject: English Language Arts (2 - 5), English Language Arts (2 - 4)
Title: Descriptive Essay
Description: Students learn to use one-main-idea think-sheets when producing
simple descriptive essays.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Persuasive Writing: You Are What You Eat
Description: Students will write a persuasive essay trying to convince their audience to eat healthy. Students will use the Makes Sense Strategies to complete the lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 6), English Language Arts (4 - 6), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Capturing A Moment In Time
Description: This lesson allows the students to explore imagery poetry through the use of a digital camera. The students visualize an imagery poem then look at a painting that pays tribute to the poem. Then the students think of a moment in time important to them, take a picture that represents it, and write a poem about it.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Science (5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Imaginary Journey Through a System of the Body
Description: The students will choose one of the systems of the human body, such as circulatory, respiratory, digestive, or nervous system, and imagine that they are inside it. They will write a description of what a journey through this system of the body would be like.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), English Language Arts (6)
Title: My Own Kingdom
Description: This lesson requires students to write a descriptive essay and make an illustration of their own imaginary kingdom and share with the class. This lesson can be done after reading about Leslie's and Jesse's kingdom from the book, Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson (or any other imaginative kingdom).
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Mathematics (2), English Language Arts (2), Mathematics (2 - 4), Mathematics (K - 3)
Title: Glorious Sunflowers
Description: In this lesson students will identify, measure and graph seeds and other characteristics of sunflowers and write descriptive and narrative paragraphs about sunflowers.
Subject: Arts Education (1), Arts Education (K - 1)
Title: Pig Art
Description: Students will explore three-dimensional art and produce an art object. The art will relate to the story of The Three Little Pigs.
Subject: English Language Arts (4 - 6), English Language Arts (4 - 6), Technology Education (3 - 8)
Title: That's The Story!
Description: This is a fun lesson where the students use thinksheets and digital cameras. The students take an "interesting" picture using the digital camera. After they have printed them they are given at random another student's picture. They write a story about the picture they are given.
Subject: Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Famous Alabamians: Helping Me Learn How I, Too, Can Make a Difference!
Description: In this unit, students will work to create their choice of a presentation on an Alabama citizen who has made a difference in the state, as well as the nation.
Subject: Arts Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: The Making of an Art Scavenger Hunt: Artists and their Styles
Description: In this lesson students will become familiar with the Internet, artists, and a major art movement by creating an online art scavenger hunt for classmates to explore.
Subject: English Language Arts (5 - 6), English Language Arts (5 - 6)
Title: Brothers of the Knight Problem Solving and More
Description: The lesson uses the story, Brothers of the Knight, by Debbie Allen, to launch a writing lesson based on a creative solution to the problem presented in the story.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Geometer's Sketchpad Basics - Getting Students Acquainted with Geometer's Sketchpad
Description: In this lesson students will explore Geometer's Sketchpad. They will use this computer software to discover how points, segments, midpoints, angles, polygons, etc. are related. The students will also be intrigued by their constant interaction with geometry.
Subject: Science (4)
Title: Importance of Fur for Animals
Description: This is a lesson to teach students how to read a thermometer and gain an understanding of why fur is important for some animals' survival.
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8), English Language Arts (6 - 8)
Title: Writing with Technology
Description: This lesson provides students with the basic steps for effectively using a Dreamwriter portable keyboard/word processing device. Students will use this technology tool to draft and publish a final copy of a writing assignment.
Subject: English Language Arts (2 - 3), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (K - 5)
Title: Action Verbs
Description: Students will use handheld computers and the Sketchy program to illustrate action verbs.
Subject: English Language Arts (12), English Language Arts (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Powerpointing to Your Career
Description: This exercise is used as the culmination of a career research project. This is a technology-based, interdisciplinary project which requires students to do Internet research and prepare a slideshow presentation. If a career is not used as a the topic of research, then the requirements can be adjusted to fit the topic of consideration.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Social Studies 3rd Grade Career Day
Description: The students will develop an understanding of specialized work and learn more about a career they choose to research. The students will use a digital camera and scanner to enhance their career notebook/portfolios. The students will use various sources to gather, interpret, and analyze information.
Subject: Mathematics (8 - 12), Mathematics (6 - 12), Mathematics (8 - 12)
Title: Swimming Pool Math
Description: Students will use a swimming pool example to practice finding perimeter and area of different rectangles.
Subject: English Language Arts (12), English Language Arts (12)
Title: Exploring Heroes in Today's Society
Description: This lesson allows students to examine traditional definitions of heroes and listen to contemporary songs about heroes to decide how they define a hero in today's society. This lesson was designed to be used at the beginning of twelfth grade literature to introduce the concept of the hero in "Beowulf," but could be modified for multiple disciplines.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (K - 2), English Language Arts (K - 2)
Title: Reading and Writing about Miss Moo Goes to the Zoo by Kelly Graves
Description: This lesson provides literature-based reading and writing activities for special education and early elementary students. This lesson may also be used to illustrate the character education traits tolerance, self-respect and compassion.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (K - 2), English Language Arts (K - 2)
Title: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Description: This is a reading lesson for special education/early elementary students. This lesson helps students with their reading skills as they learn about generosity.
Subject: Mathematics (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (6)
Title: Find a Pattern Using Children's Literature
Description: Students use the problem solving strategy of "find a pattern" to predict the number of grains of rice Rani (from the book, One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi) will receive after 30 days. Students use a spreadsheet to illustrate data from the story.
Subject: Social Studies (4), Mathematics (4), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (5)
Title: Plotting Points in Alabama
Description: The students will be able to use coordinates to find locations of specific cities on a map of Alabama.
Subject: English Language Arts (6), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Appreciation of Literature Through Knowledge of Newbery Books - A Unit for the Librarian or Language Arts Teacher
Description: Students will select a Newbery Medal Award book to read. They will complete one of three projects to reflect understanding of the chosen book. Their projects will be presented to the class in an effort to entice other students to read the book. This is a creative way to present a booktalk.
Subject: Science (K - 2), English Language Arts (K - 2), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (K - 2)
Title: The Four Seasons
Description: This is a reading and writing lesson for special education/early elementary about the four seasons.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Science (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Animals as Pets: Everything You Need to Know
Description: Choosing pets and caring for them appropriately is important for children. Many times children choose a pet without knowing the responsibility that is involved in pet care. In this lesson the students will work in pairs to research and present detailed information about a selected animal, including specifics about the animal and how to care for it as a pet.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Computer Comparison Project
Description: In this collaborative project students compare computer hardware and software. Handheld computers may be utilized to provide students experience in inputting data and beaming it for use in a class summary.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Sounds: What We Hear!
Description: Students will create a descriptive writing about the sounds they hear in a favorite place. This is a good follow-up to a science unit on sound.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3)
Title: Synonym/Antonym Bingo
Description: Students will learn to identify synonyms and antonyms by playing a bingo game.
Subject: Science (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: A Water Dilemma - Mapping Dragonfly Pond
Description: This is a hands-on, technology rich lesson involving wetlands and the effects humans and human development have on these precious ecosystems. This is a follow-up lesson to a wetlands introduction and discussion.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), English Language Arts (3 - 4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Picturing Parts of Speech
Description: For this lesson students use digital cameras to take pictures which illustrate various parts of speech, then insert the pictures into a digital slideshow presentation and write sentences about the pictures.
Subject: Science (2)
Title: Air is All Around You
Description: In this science lesson students will be asked the question, "Does air take up space?" and "Does air have weight?" Students will conduct experiments that prove that air has mass, takes up space, and exerts pressure.
Subject: Science (K - 1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Three Awesome Bears
Description: The lesson will be implemented during a study of bears. Books, class discussions, and the Internet will be used to learn about bears and their characteristics. Black, brown, and polar bears will be categorized according to their food and their habitat. As a culminating activity the students will use "Kidspiration" software to match bears with their habitat and food.
Subject: Health Education (9 - 12)
Title: Factors That Influence Life Activities
Description: The teacher will begin the lesson by asking the question, "What behaviors do you have that affect your lifestyle in a positive way?" Allow students to respond. Then ask, "What behaviors do you have that affect your lifestyle in a negative way?" Allow comments. Then state, " Every behavior, either positive or negative, has a direct effect on our life activities."
Subject: Science (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Fundamentally Fish
Description: The science portion of this lesson provides opportunities for students to recognize that structure and function are directly related to specific animals and to their survival. The body shape and the position and size of the mouth of a fish tell a great deal about where it lives and what it eats. A basic computer research component orients students to fundamental processes of online investigation.
Subject: English Language Arts (12), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (12)
Title: Introduction to Ayn Rand Using Online Resources
Description: Students will research Ayn Rand, a contemporary novelist, for biographical information and for her personal philosophy as a prelude to reading her novel, Anthem. Students will partner to gather information via online databases and will discuss findings in a group setting.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Do You Have a Babushka?
Description: This lesson will familiarize students with the author Patricia Polacco. Students will use appropriate resources to gather information about Polacco, categorize the information, and record it in a graphic organizer (concept map).
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Spreadsheets and Budgets
Description: This activity allows students to use real-world data to create a spreadsheet budget. This project is designed to be the culmination of a spreadsheet unit.
Subject: Mathematics (4 - 6), Mathematics (4 - 5), Mathematics (6)
Title: Percents
Description: This lesson provides a variety of activities for the students to experience using percents. The usage of percents is presented in the context of situations that occur in a student's daily life. A kinesthetic activity is also included to reach all learning types.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Endangered Species: What are they and how can we help them?
Description: The topic of endangered species is one that needs to be addressed with every student. As more and more plants and animals become extinct, students, as inhabitants of this ecosystem, need to be aware that human actions affect the planet. The purpose of this lesson is to educate students on endangered species and to provide them with basic knowledge of the causes of these tragic extinctions.
Subject: Science (3), Social Studies (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: The Sun and the Earth
Description: The students will understand the relationship between the Earth and the sun and how this relationship affects observable phenomena on Earth, such as the seasons. The activity will help students learn about these concepts and will reinforce their understanding by having them diagram the position of the Earth in relation to the the sun during different seasons.
Subject: English Language Arts (8), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (6 - 7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: From Here to Narnia
Description: This lesson will provide eighth grade Language Arts students with an inquiry-based research project based on C. S. Lewis' classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The student will determine the author's purpose in writing this story. This will be accomplished by researching material using the Alabama Virtual Library and Gale Resources.
Subject: English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Peeking At Pumpkins
Description: As part of a unit about pumpkins, students will learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin. Student understanding will be aided by the use of the flannel board, individual booklets, and Kid Pix software.
Subject: Science (9 - 12)
Title: Energy and Work Amusement Park Style
Description: This is a lesson presenting energy and work. It covers: types of energy, forms of energy, work, law of conservation of energy, and renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. In the activities section, one will find links to Internet sites that explore concepts of energy and work. Interactive labs are also included in this lesson. The lesson can serve as a student-led or teacher-led lesson. It gives a brief statement of facts; therefore, the teacher must provide expansions, if needed. The expansions could come from the Internet sites since many of them go into more detail about the concepts. The teacher will also be expected to supply some form of assessment for the lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts (11), English Language Arts (11)
Title: Analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird
Description: Used as a follow-up lesson after reading the novel and viewing the entire video of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, students will analyze the opening title credits which show the cigar box and its contents which Jem and Scout have found in the knothole of the tree. Students will participate in large or small group discussion, interpret the significance of the film sequence, and write a grammatically correct essay based on the discussion.
Subject: Arts Education (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), Arts Education (7 - 12)
Title: Expressionism: What’s the deal with these strange colors?
Description: The students will gain a good understanding of the history of Expressionism painting and its use of color and paint application to establish an “emotional feel”. They will use this knowledge to create their own expressionistic oil painting.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (9 - 12), Career/Technical Education Curriculum Core (9)
Title: Famous Entrepreneur Scavenger Hunt
Description: This lesson will help students learn about entrepreneurs in today's society and how they got started in the world of business and became successful at it.
This lesson reinforces textbook chapters on the history of entrepreneurship and what it takes to become an entrepreneur.
Subject: Science (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Researching Hurricanes with Technology
Description: This lesson will help students to understand the formation, power, and history of hurricanes. Students will do this using a combination of technological skills. Examples of technology used include: PowerPoint, Word, Netscape Composer, and Internet searches.
Subject: English Language Arts (12), English Language Arts (12), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Using the Digital Notebook to Visualize Thematic Links and/or Character Motivation in Macbeth
Description: Students will work in groups of two or three to produce two pages of a digital scrapbook covering a thematic element from Macbeth. The pages will then be assembled into a visual review of the play’s themes and character motivations arranged by acts. Each class will produce one presentation of the scrapbook.
Subject: Science (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Weather Detectives
Description: This is an introductory lesson to a second grade weather unit. The students will be observing the weather each day for one week and recording their observations in a chart. The students will be integrating information from the Internet as well as what they learn in English by using adjectives in their descriptions. After the students have collected data for a week, in cooperative groups, they will predict the weather for the next week. The teacher will show the students guides or weather reports from past years for that particular week in order to guide them in the direction of an accurate prediction. The students will go to a technology lab to look up and record the weather from a teacher-selected web site.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: How tall is the school's flagpole?
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to help students apply math concepts concerning similar triangles and trigonometric functions to real life situations. The students learn how to take these concepts and use them to find measurements of objects that they are unable to measure in conventional ways.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Writing Thank-You Notes
Description: This lesson teaches students to write thank-you note using the writing process. Students will draft, revise, edit, and publish their thank-you notes. They will use a computer to view examples of thank-you notes and insert graphics into their own published thank-you notes.
Subject: Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: First Day with the Computer -
Beginning Computer Lesson for Grades 3-5
Description: This lesson is designed to give hands-on experience to students during their first week at the computer. Students will learn correct positioning at the computer desk. Students will also learn proper positioning of their hands on the keyboard. Discussion will include benefit for correct positioning with the computer.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Alabama Biographies of the 20th Century
Description: In this lesson, students will recognize and examine the lives of Alabamians who have impacted the lives of others and the history of the state with their notable contributions during the first half and last half of the twentieth century. This interdisciplinary lesson relates social studies, language arts and reading. Through this inquiry study, students will choose one of the famous Alabamians, research the person's contributions, write a short biographical summary, and as an extension, create a 3-D scan picture relating to the life and times of the individual.
Subject: Science (1), English Language Arts (1), Mathematics (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Yummy Apples!
Description: Students will identify, explore and graph characteristics of several different types of apples.
Subject: Mathematics (1), Science (1), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 1)
Title: Leo Lionni’s Little Blue and Little Yellow
Description: Students will use Leo Lionni’s literature and his website to learn about the author, mix primary colors, summarize and rewrite a story, and use graphing skills to determine the classes’ favorite color.
Subject: English Language Arts (9), English Language Arts (9), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Ethics in The Stock Market
Description: In this lesson students will learn about the stock market. They will look at the stock market from an accounting point of view and research a specific stock or industry.
Subject: Social Studies (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Forces That Change the Land
Description: Students will use websites and other resources to find information about the following landforms:
mountains,
canyons,
and valleys.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Looks Like Snow
Description: This lesson uses the book, The Jacket I Wear In The Snow, by Shirley Neitzel, to build writing skills as well as introduce students to the skills of alphabetizing, sequencing, and recognizing synonyms. This lesson could be used to integrate a winter weather unit into the Language Arts curriculum.
Subject: Science (K), English Language Arts (K), English Language Arts (K), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Once Upon A Bear
Description: This lesson uses children's literature as a basis for a cross-curricular mini-unit on bears.
Subject: Science (3), Mathematics (3), Mathematics (2 - 4), Mathematics (K - 3)
Title: What do Plants Need?
Description: In this lesson, students will understand that in order to grow healthy plants, soil, water, light, and air must be provided. Students will use math skills such as measurement and science process skills such as observation, comparing, and recording data.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (6 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: Touring Our School Through Two Languages
Description: This lesson will help students combine the tools of technology with language skills to communicate with non-English speaking students in the community.
Subject: Health Education (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Understanding Nutrition Labels
Description: In this lesson, students will use an Excel spreadsheet to determine the percentage of fat, protein and carbohydrates in a common breakfast cereal. The students will create a pie chart to represent the percentages of fat, protein and carbohydrates in the food.
Subject: Mathematics (2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Mathematics (2 - 3), Mathematics (2 - 4)
Title: Money Management
Description: This month-long experience educates students in differentiating between needs and wants, how to budget resources, and to gain an understanding of the workings of a capitalist society.
Subject: Science (1 - 2), English Language Arts (1 - 2), Mathematics (1 - 2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2), Mathematics (K - 2)
Title: Very Busy Spiders
Description: The students will work from a computer and a specified Webquest to complete a unit on spiders. The lessons will incorporate literature, writing, science, art, and graphing.
Subject: English Language Arts (K - 3), English Language Arts (K - 3), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Word a Day
Description: Word a Day allows students to develop a bank of sight words that are meaningful to them. Each student picks words to add to his/her individual word bank. The teacher can specify particular categories or let the student choose any word. The student then finds a picture or symbol to illustrate each word using a variety of resources.
Subject: Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Simple Machines Webquest
Description: This lesson is designed to allow students to explore simple machines through a Webquest with Internet resources provided for research of simple machines. Students then create a report, with pictures, in Word, and finally, invent their own simple machine for presentation.
Subject: Social Studies (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Exploring Explorers
Description: Students will create a video in talk-show format about explorers from the 15th-17th centuries. They will utilize books, the Alabama Virtual Library, and the Internet for reference. Groups of students will answer who, what, when, where, and why questions and then use that information to write a script for the video.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), Social Studies (4), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Would you fit in with the Cherokees?
Description: By gaining knowledge of other cultures, students will gain respect and appreciation for all people. Students will also become more interested in their own culture by exploring their own beliefs and customs.
Subject: Family and Consumer Sciences Education (7 - 12)
Title: Fruits and Vegetables
Description: In this lesson, students will collaboratively explore the Internet with a guided WebQuest on "Fruits and Vegetables."
Subject: English Language Arts (10), English Language Arts (9 - 10), Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Analyzing Characters in 12 Angry Men (or any other work of literature with many characters) Using PowerPoint
Description: Re-telling a story from the points of view of its various characters is a powerful way to review the events of a story, show how authors use characterization to reveal characters' personalities, and encourage students to view stories from multiple perspectives. Reginald Rose's play, 12 Angry Men, obviously has a large cast of characters, but using PowerPoint to review and analyze them offers a way for students to understand each character's personality and how it impacts the play. This idea could be easily adapted to any other play or novel with a large cast of characters.
Subject: Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Read All About It! Supreme Court Case Makes Headlines!
Description: This is a project to conclude the study of the Judicial Branch of our government. The students, working in pairs, will be assigned a landmark Supreme Court case to research in a computer lab setting. They will then construct a one-page newsletter on the case which will include a summary of the case, two pictures, a short biography on one of the justices on the Court at that time, and an editorial describing their reaction to the case.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 12), English Language Arts (12)
Title: The Craft of Poetry: Understanding the Structure of the Sonnet
Description: Using a sonnnet grid, students write original Shakespearean sonnets and present them in digital slideshow format.
Subject: English Language Arts (10), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9 - 10), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Rags to Riches or Riches to Rags?
Description: In this lesson students will apply the interest formulas to make the best investment decision for our fictional character Algebrea Calculique. The students will be provided with a story explaining the situation that Algebrea faces and the investment choices that she has. To present their findings and conclusion, the students will write an expository essay. This lesson integrates mathematics into the writing process.
Subject: Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12), Mathematics (9 - 12)
Title: Geometrica Fights Back!
Description: This activity is designed to give students practice with the properties of special quadrilaterals (parallelograms, rectangles, rhombuses, squares, trapezoids, and kites). The students are provided with a "murder mystery" sheet with descriptions of each "suspect" and a "line-up" of twelve suspects (different quadrilaterals with their properties). The students must decide which suspect(s) from the line-up meets the description. The "guilty" quadrilateral will be discovered at the end of the activity.
Subject: Mathematics (3 - 5), Technology Education (3 - 5), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (6 - 7)
Title: Fly Away With Averages
Description: This is a hands-on lesson that allows students to gather their own data before finding the mean. This activity is the culminating activity of a mean, median and mode unit.
Subject: Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Our World is Like a Rainbow
Description: Americans continue to adapt to different ethnic and cultural groups who move into their communities. It is vital that children become aware of and appreciate cultural diversities in people. People move to different areas for reasons such as religion, climate, employment, economics, and for a better way of life.
Subject: Social Studies (7), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Personal Economics
Description: Students will be able to explain the various services available to protect consumer rights. They will develop a PowerPoint presentation in their student achievement teams which contains the required information along with a question section. This presentation will then be used in class for a review activity prior to testing.
Subject: Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages) (6 - 12), Technology Education (6 - 12)
Title: The Spanish Speaking World
Description: Students will research a Spanish-speaking Latin American country and make travel plans to the chosen country based on facts gathered through their research.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12), Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: Open for Business
Description: This is an integrated lesson using word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software and the Internet. Each student will create the appropriate documents for operating a personal business: Letter (with designed letterhead) to perspective customer requesting a meeting for a presentation of services or products; database listing with proper fields for products and one for customer listings; invoice with company logo showing a sale with tax and shipping; a presentation to promote products or services. Students will search the Internet for actual prices, pictures, and documentation of products or service. They will have creative privileges for designs and logos.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Social Studies (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (5)
Title: Newscast on the Battles of the Ironclad Ships
Description: This lesson is on the ironclad ships and the battles that took place during the Civil War. Students will use the information from previous lessons to create a simulated newscast that takes place during an actual battle between ironclad ships.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2), English Language Arts (2)
Title: Introduction to PowerPoint
Description: Second grade students will view a teacher-made digital slideshow. The teacher will then walk the students through the process of opening PowerPoint or other presentation software, picking a slide format and adding text.
Subject: Arts Education (9 - 12), Arts Education (6 - 12)
Title: The Voice……What does it consist of, and how does it work?
Description: Students will essentially take a tour of the human voice in this interactive lesson. They will learn the anatomy and physiology of the voice and also how vowel sounds are produced using two educational web sites. They will hear and analyze voices of various musical artists with different timbre and will analyze their own voice.
Subject: Arts Education (6 - 8), Arts Education (6 - 8)
Title: Illustrate a Song
Description: Many times when people think of art, they only think about the visual arts. Music is also an art form. Music has the ability to inspire us, change our mood, comfort us, and teach us. It is hard to imagine a day without any sort of music. Therefore, it is necessary that when teaching the arts, students also learn about the value of music as an art form.
Subject: Health Education (8 - 12), Physical Education (8 - 12)
Title: Sports: Get in the Game!
Description: In this lesson students will read several articles from the Internet and learn the benefits of participating in team sports.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12)
Title: Business Communication
Description: This lesson will help students learn about business communication.
Students will learn how to write various types of business letters and other communication.
Subject: English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Look at me!
Description: Students will write an autobiography and use pictures of themselves from past and present to illustrate it.
Subject: English Language Arts (2 - 4), English Language Arts (2 - 4), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Welcome to our Classroom
Description: Students will create a classroom resource book for substitutes to help them feel more comfortable and familiar with faces and procedures in our classroom and school.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Nouns, Verbs, and Describing Words
Description: This language arts lesson uses technology to assess students' understanding of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Each student will use a digital camera to take a picture at school. He will then write a descriptive sentence about the picture using a word processor. Students will use a specified colored font to identify the nouns, verbs, and adjectives in the sentence.
Subject: Driver and Traffic Safety Education (10 - 12), Driver and Traffic Safety Education Course (10 - 12)
Title: What Does That Car Really Cost?
Description: In order for students to grasp the total cost of their dream car, students must be aware of the hidden costs of a vehicle. This lesson will teach students to shop for insurance and a deductible which fits their budget. Most young drivers seldom consider the cost of maintenance and annual registration. At the conclusion of this lesson students will realize that the total cost of a car involves more than a car payment.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Getting to Know You
Description: The students will go on an in-school scavenger hunt to get to know the many kinds of people that make up an elementary school community. They will work in small groups and use digital cameras to take pictures of the workers they find. By completing the scavenger hunt, the students will gain a better understanding of how we are all dependent on one another in a small community.
Subject: Social Studies (K), Character Education (K - 12)
Title: Martin Luther King, Jr. for Early Elementary
Description: This lesson is an adaptation of a lesson in Character Education Made Easy. It helps early elementary students (especially kindergartners) learn about the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr., why he is remembered, and the problems he worked to change.
Subject: English Language Arts (6 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Getting to Know You
Description: This lesson provides an introduction to presentation software for students and a way for the teacher and students to get to know each other at the beginning of school.
Subject: English Language Arts (2 - 5), English Language Arts (2 - 3)
Title: Funny Sequence
Description: After a discussion and work on sequence, students will apply this knowledge to sequencing comic strips through group work.
Subject: Science (3 - 5)
Title: Learning the Three Layers
Description: This lesson will help students visualize the Earth's crust (lithosphere), mantle, and core. The students will work in groups to research and design a model of the Earth's layers. Some of the types of models include: computer, fruits such as peaches and apples, and Play-Doh.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: Writing with Technology
Description: The students will use technology (portable keyboards) to write a narrative.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Using Technology in Teaching Reading
Description: Elementary students, while working on their basal reader story for the week, will use various forms of technology to increase comprehension and other reading skills.
(Other strategies may be substituted if some of the technology mentioned is not available.)
Subject: Science (5), English Language Arts (5), Technology Education (3 - 5), English Language Arts (3 - 5)
Title: Water Cycle Animation (A lesson involving handheld computer/Palm Pilots)
Description: This technology-rich lesson involves students using handheld computers, such as Palm Pilots. Students will use the program "Sketchy" to create animation of the water cycle. Students will also use "Word to Go" to write a paragraph on the water cycle.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Symbols of Freedom
Description: This lesson is a technology-based social studies inquiry into patriotic symbols. Students will apply their research skills in an independent investigation of United States patriotic symbols. The students will incorporate their newly acquired knowledge into a digital slideshow presentation to be shared with their peers.
Subject: Science (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Amazing Adaptations - Probing Pinnipeds
Description: This is a technology rich, hands-on science experiment exploring the world of pinniped adaptations using a digital probe as a data collection device.
Subject: Business/Marketing Education (8 - 12), Mathematics (6), Technology Education (6 - 8), Mathematics (6), Mathematics (5)
Title: Introduction to Spreadsheets
Description: Students will utilize Excel or other spreadsheet software to create both text and numerical valued columns to produce a Christmas or birthday wish list.
Subject: Arts Education (2), English Language Arts (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Arts Education (2)
Title: Transformation Creations
Description: The students will use critical thinking skills and artistic abilities to "transform" an image into something completely different. The original images can be taken with a digital camera and printed out or cut from old magazines.
Subject: Social Studies (10)
Title: Learning About Colonial Life
Description: This is a group activity that allows students to use predictions to learn about the lifestyle of American colonists.
Subject: Social Studies (5)
Title: Learning About Our Government
Description: This lesson is designed to inform students about the organization of our nation's government. Students will be introduced to the three branches of American government and the responsibilities of each. They will discuss the requirements for becoming President and take a "virtual tour" of the White House. All of this is done through the use of a digital slideshow, which includes a direct link to the Internet for further study.
Subject: English Language Arts (2), Arts Education (2), English Language Arts (2), Technology Education (K - 2), Arts Education (2)
Title: Monster Descriptions
Description: The class will participate in an Internet project called Monster Exchange. They will partner with another class to exchange directions on drawing a monster. They will then share the monsters drawn from the directions by posting them on the Monster Exchange website.
Subject: English Language Arts (7 - 8), English Language Arts (7 - 8), Technology Education (6 - 8)
Title: Interactive Reading Project
Description: Students are motivated to read and learn to discuss literature by discussing books they are reading via e-mail.
Subject: Technical Education (9 - 12)
Title: Hair Design (Computer Simulation)
Description: Computer simulation allows students a realistic and risk-free way to experiment with different face shapes, skin tones, anatomical proportions, and hair texture and visualize how various hairstyles will appear on the client. Students gain communications skills along with useful computer skills.
Subject: Science (6)
Title: Planetary Cereal Project
Description: This is a project which would be appropriate to use at the end of a lesson about the solar system. Students will decorate an empty cereal box with information and games showing their comprehension of factual information about an assigned planet.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Explicit Phonics Lesson for -ew and -oo
Description: This lesson covers phonemic awareness, decoding, blending, spelling patterns, and dictation. It can be used as an introduction or a follow up lesson.
Subject: Counseling and Guidance (K - 12)
Title: We are Unique
Description: In a classroom guidance setting the counselor and students will discuss how their hands are similar and how they are different.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), English Language Arts (K - 2), Social Studies (K), English Language Arts (1 - 2)
Title: President's Day for Special Education/Early Elementary
Description: This lesson helps special education/early elementary students learn about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and discuss how each demonstrated the character trait of honesty.
Subject: Science (5), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Mitosis: Divide to Survive
Description: This lesson includes a Power Point presentation that will guide the students through an investigation of mitosis, or cellular division. The lesson will review the basic functions and parts of animal and plant cells and then introduce the process of cellular mitosis and division. The lesson's graphics will stimulate student interest and deepen understanding.
Subject: Science (3), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: What Kind of Plant Is It?
Description: This lesson provides a fun way for students to learn to classify plants as vascular and nonvascular. Students will use drawing software to create pictures of vascular and nonvascular plants.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant - A comprehension lesson to teach text-to-self connections in reading
Description: This is a first grade reading comprehension lesson to teach students how to make text-to-self connections while reading.
Subject: English Language Arts (4), English Language Arts (4), Technology Education (3 - 5)
Title: Story Add-Ons
Description: This is a technology-rich lesson plan which allows students to explore proper language conventions while utilizing portable keyboards for word processing.
Subject: Mathematics (3), English Language Arts (3), English Language Arts (3), Mathematics (3 - 4), Mathematics (3)
Title: Inch by Inch
Description: In this lesson students will do a variety of learning activities while they meet many math, science, and language arts objectives. Students will measure items, analyze and record data, listen to instructions, and follow directions. They will also follow a recipe to make a creative dessert.
Subject: English Language Arts (9 - 12), Technology Education (9 - 12), English Language Arts (9 - 12)
Title: Multimedia Presentation on Writing a Resume
Description: This lesson focuses on advanced skills in creating, presenting, and evaluating multimedia presentations.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12)
Title: Friendship is Fun!
Description: Students will explore the concept of friendship in order to promote class unity. Some of the areas to be included are characteristics of friends, differences of individuals, and examples of ways to be a good friend. The class will complete several technology-based projects based on friendship. The culminating activity for the unit is an activity involving parents.
Subject: Technology Education (9 - 12)
Title: Web-Based Personality Survey Activity
Description: This is an activity for psychology classes. Students take a short version of the Myer-Briggs Personality Survey and then analyze their results. It is important to teach the students about personality and personality tests before using this activity.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Explicit Phonics Lesson for the "-ick" Word Family
Description: This lesson covers phonemic awareness, decoding, blending, spelling patterns, and dictation. It can be used as an introduction or a follow up lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Explicit Phonics Lesson for the "-ar" sound
Description: This lesson covers phonemic awareness, decoding, blending, spelling patterns, and dictation. It can be used as an introduction or a follow-up lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Explicit Phonics Lesson for "sh"
Description: This lesson covers phonemic awareness, decoding blending, spelling patterns, and dictation. It can be used as an introduction or a follow-up lesson.
Subject: Mathematics (1), English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1), Mathematics (K - 1), Mathematics (2)
Title: Pat Brisson's Benny's Pennies
Description: Students will listen to the book Benny's Pennies and demonstrate their ability to count pennies, understand proper sequence and rewrite a story.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Explicit Phonics Lesson for the -unk Sound
Description: This lesson covers phonemic awareness, decoding, blending, spelling patterns, and dictation. It can be used as an introduction or a follow-up lesson.
Subject: English Language Arts (1), English Language Arts (1)
Title: Compound Words
Description: Students will listen to the story Once There Was A Bull... (frog)
and identify the compound words in the story, then work with a partner to think of additional examples of compound words.
Subject: Information Literacy (K - 12), English Language Arts (4 - 5), English Language Arts (4)
Title: Using an Almanac
Description: Students will work in groups to learn appropriate uses of an almanac and how to find information in it efficiently and effectively. Each group will be responsible for explaining the steps taken to complete the task. This lesson is best used with fourth and fifth grades.
Subject: Character Education (K - 12), Technology Education (K - 2)
Title: Respect
Description: During this lesson students will learn about being respectful. Through different stories, graphic organizers, and acting, students will gain a true understanding of respect. Students will demonstrate what they have learned by creating flyers to display around the school. Students will also have an opportunity to help create a multimedia presentation to illustrate being respectful.
Thinkfinity Lesson Plans
Subject: Health - Nutrition | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Enhanced Calorie Calculator
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Description: Use the Enhanced Calorie Calculator from the Calorie Control Council to determine how many calories you have consumed in a day. Select the foods you have eaten from a database, indicate the number of servings, and the Calculator will total your calories. This Web page is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson, "Evaluating Mathematical Models."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Measurement | Social Studies - World History
Title: Ancient Egypt Math and Science Activity: Cubit Measures
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Description: In this activity, offered by the Detroit Institute of the Arts, students explore Ancient Egyptian measurement systems. Students make a 21" cubit measuring stick, subdivide it into digits and palms, and then measure objects in the classroom.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Number Sense | Social Studies - World History
Title: Ancient Egypt Social Studies Activity: How Old Is Old?
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Description: The Detroit Institute of the Arts offers this activity about ancient Egypt. In this activity, students use decimeter squares to measure their lifespans and create a metric-based timeline going back to ancient Egypt. Included are various links to tables, and other activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Social Studies - Economics
Title: Financial Aid Estimation Form
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Description: On this Web page from FinAid, students can complete a form to estimate Expected Family Contribution and financial need for college tuition assistance. The form provides detailed instructions and is based, in part, upon published formulas provided by the US Department of Education. This Web page is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson, "Evaluating Mathematical Models."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Adventures in Statistics
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Description: Focused on a problematically small classroom, one class developed an inquiry into measurement, based on their study of scientific method. In this lesson plan, found on the Math Forum site, students hypothesize whether their classroom is the same size as other classrooms in the building. Students then measure and compare the areas with graphs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Bricks Activity- A Masonry Pattern Problem
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Description: In this lesson, students are challenged to solve a masonry problem involving patterns. The task is to find a brick-laying pattern without creating a "fault-line." Students use dominoes to practice geometric patterns. This lesson is referenced on the Math Forum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Dominoes Activity
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Description: In this lesson, students manipulate dominoes to solve a math problem. After an initial introduction, the students are challenged to build a brick wall. The Web page also contains links to technology resources and additional links and extensions. This lesson is referenced on the Math Forum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Geometric Factoring
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Description: In this lesson, students will visualize all the possible rectangles formed by the number of square units given and will associate the word factor to mean the different lengths and widths of these rectangles. This lesson is referenced on the MathForum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Introduction to Fractions for Primary Students
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Description: This fractions unit is designed to teach primary students fraction basics, using paper plates, fruit, and more. This unit of instruction is referenced on the Math Forum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2 | 3
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Pascal's Triangle
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Description: This Pascal's triangle resource page contains a collection of Web pages for all ages. Among the many resources there are NCTM related standards, lesson plans, and related links. This Web page is referenced on the MathForum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: All
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Traffic Jam Activity
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Description: In this traffic jam activity, students are given a problem to solve which incorporates logical reasoning and algebra. Students are highly engaged in the activity as they physically solve the problem with their bodies. This lesson is referenced on the Math Forum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: BEATCALC: Beat the Calculator!
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Description: This Web site lists tips and tricks for mental mathematical calculations, through the major mathematical functions and combinations of numbers. This mathematics resource was referenced on the Math Forum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: All
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Number Theory
Title: Problems of the Week or Month
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Description: The Math Forum's collection of "Problems of the Week" are designed to provide creative challenges for students. Problem-solving and mathematical communication are key elements of every problem. This site offers links to Web pages with problems for students at all grade levels.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: All
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Forecast Sees Halt to Population Growth by End of Century
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Description: There's a high chance that the world's population will stop growing by the end of the 21st century, according to a new study. Read about the study in this National Geographic News article. Then, explore the subject further through links to related stories, Web sites, and lesson plans.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Physical Education - Team Sports | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Curve Balls
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the mathematics behind baseball pitching. Mathematician Chuck Romine discusses a new mathematical model that describes the trajectory of a curve ball. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: "Ad-ing" to Geography
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine how clothing and other consumer products influence peer identity. They classify several economic activities and analyze their spatial patterns, as well as use advertisements for contemporary products to explore economic and geographic concepts presented in the lesson.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Active Earth
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Description: In this lesson, students investigate natural disasters and create a poster showing "The Active Earth." They look at examples of weather maps and create their own weather map based on the current weather conditions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: "On The Road Again": Moving People, Products, and Ideas
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn to identify modes of transportation and communication for moving people, products, and ideas from place to place. Students also learn the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of transportation. This lesson investigates ways in which global interdependence is altering traditional trade patterns, and encourages students to speculate on future world economic development.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Animals Versus People: Who's the Better Navigator?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to focus on people's innate navigational abilities. They first read about animal navigation and then compare animal and human navigational capabilities. They then create travel brochures for an Outward Bound-style company, providing customers with tips on how to find their way if they get lost and can't rely on their map and compass.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Photography | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: What Does a Picture Tell You About Culture?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson uses photographs to create an understanding of cultural landscapes. Students analyze photographs from around the world and make hypotheses about the similarities and differences of cultures based on the photographs they look at.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: What Do People Know About the Arctic and Antarctic?
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students research the landscapes, climates, and animal life of the polar regions. They then interview people to find out what they think and know about the regions. They conclude by writing paragraphs explaining why it's important to know about the polar regions and detailing the differences between the two regions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Climate Controls
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson has students consider how various parts of the world and the United States are affected by climate controls such as world air currents. They read about climate controls and create maps showing how these controls affect the climate in various places around the country.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Culture Shock
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to think about how cultural customs differ throughout the world. Students research a foreign culture's customs and write stories pretending they are on vacation with a friend from the country they have researched. They pretend to travel to a new country that neither person is familiar with, and describe each person's reactions to the new culture. They consider how these reactions differ based on each person's own cultural customs and habits.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Political Cartoons Illustrating Progressivism and the Election of 1912
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Description: This lesson, provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, relates to the goals of the Progressives at the state and federal levels and the significance of the election of 1912. It lays the groundwork for study of the 16th, 17th, and 19th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Environmental Issues in the Polar Regions
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about how environmental problems affect the polar regions. They create magazine ads to educate the public about these problems and to convince people to pay more attention to human impacts on the Arctic and Antarctic.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Climate and CO2: Analyzing Their Relationship
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students speculate about the future of world climate if the greenhouse effect increases. In small groups, students learn about the greenhouse effect, study efforts that have been made to control the effect, and speculate about the future of the environment.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Expedition to the Poles
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students pretend they've just returned from a year in the Arctic or Antarctic. They look at Web sites about these regions and expeditions to them and create posters illustrating their experiences. They conclude by writing paragraphs explaining what it would be like to visit the polar region that they did not focus on in this lesson.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Riddle of the Russian Lights
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students use maps to help an astronaut figure out why a string of lights zigzags across southern Russia. They examine maps depicting population density, average annual temperature, transportation density, and railroad networks to come up with the answer.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: Genealogical Atlases
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to interview their parents or other relatives about what it was like where they grew up. Students use outline maps to create genealogical atlases that illustrate the places of their ancestry and the activities in which their relatives and ancestors participated when living there.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Get Oriented
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students explore the cardinal directions--north, south, east, and west. They then test their knowledge using the interactive "Orientometer."
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Music | Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Geography and History in Songs
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson has students look at some historical paintings on the Internet and describe the things the paintings reveal about the places depicted. They then write paragraphs explaining what they have seen and learned from one of the paintings.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Crack the Code
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students use a map to plot geographic coordinates given on a list. The goal is to use the first letter of each city plotted to spell the name of another city.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Geography Matters in History
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson has students consider the ways in which historical events and processes have been affected by geography. For example, the Lewis and Clark expedition was affected by many geographical phenomena, such as rugged mountains and strong river currents. Students read historical features on the Internet, explain how geography affected historical events or processes, and write stories describing how geographic variations might have led to different outcomes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Geographic Groceries
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students explore their grocery store to see which foods are displayed together and why. They look for patterns in the presentation of items and identify the different "regions" of the store.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Getting Lost
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson has students practice their knowledge of the cardinal directions by having them describe the directions in their classroom. They practice figuring out the relative directions of other places (such as another classroom or the office) in relation to their classroom. They conclude by taping signs with place names around the room to show the directions they would travel to get to those places.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Natural History | Science - Paleontology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: A Dinosaur's Neighborhood
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students learn about the preferred habitat of Tyrannosaurus rex. They are then asked to choose the most appropriate habitat from three presented.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - General Science | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: From Boomtown to Ghost Town
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students discuss how a specific economic activity in a region can facilitate the creation of towns, which often turn into ghost towns if the economic activity ends. They create posters or booklets showing the "life cycle" of a mining town, from before its foundation to its status as ghost town.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Architecture | Science - Engineering | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Wonderworld
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students design a theme park devoted to great feats of architecture and engineering. Famous monuments they study in preparation for designing their parks include Stonehenge, the Panama Canal, the Pyramids of Giza, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Stormy Stories
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students use their geography savvy to sort out the stories of four kids caught in natural disasters. In the process, they learn about the effects of droughts, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, volcanoes, and hurricanes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: How Do We Find Our Way?
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students consider whether they have a good sense of direction and whether they are able to navigate using mental maps versus needing equipment. They read about the Lewis and Clark expedition to find out what skills, abilities, and navigation equipment those early explorers needed, and they compare that voyage with a fictitious modern day journey on foot across the Rocky Mountains.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Lizzie's Morning
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students follow a young American from bed to breakfast to bus and see how many cultures have touched her world. They then investigate how cultural diffusion has influenced their own lives.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Introduction to Latitude and Longitude
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces students to latitude and longitude. They look at lines of latitude and longitude on a United States map and discuss the reasons why these lines are helpful. They also discuss the ways that temperatures vary with latitude and consider what type of clothing they might wear at specific latitudes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Boundary Ballads
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students identify boundaries based on song lyrics that provide hints. Students examine lyrics to these songs to determine what natural and/or man-made boundaries they reference, and then write some original ballads about other boundaries.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Latitude, Longitude, and Mapmaking
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson requires students to review the concepts of latitude and longitude and to use these concepts to create maps of different countries on the computer. They conclude by discussing the reasons why it is important to understand latitude and longitude and by creating quizzes in which other students must locate mystery places and map them on the computer.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Types of Angles
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Description: This site, from Math Cove, is an online tutorial that steps students through a number of concepts in geometry, including angle measure, types of angles, complementary and supplementary angles, and the sum of angles. The tutorial includes a collection of applets which either illustrate an idea or provide a forum for students to explore the concept. This activity might prove useful as a review for students, or a teacher might want to use the applets in a class demonstration for a particular concept.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Drama | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Religion - Christianity | Religion - Islam | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Perception of Place
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students write paragraphs describing their perceptions of a specified place and compare notes to see the variety of ideas and feelings toward this place. They come to understand how and why people perceive places in different ways.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: Personal Boundaries and Forbidden Places
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to consider the concept of boundaries between places--in this case, places where they are welcome versus places where they are unwelcome. Students describe the boundaries they are familiar with in their daily lives, such as places in their towns or homes where they're not allowed to go, and discuss how they feel when they're told not to go somewhere. They map their town and label the places that are off-limits to them. They conclude by writing paragraphs or drawing pictures of places they'd like to visit someday.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Earth science | Science - Geology | Science - Natural History | Science - Paleontology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Physical Characteristics of Places: The Fossil Record
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to consider how the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates alters the physical characteristics of places over geologic time. They investigate how climate has changed in specific world regions since the time of the dinosaurs and write paragraphs explaining their findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: A Vacation To The Polar Regions
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the characteristics of the Arctic and Antarctic by looking at a globe and by examining pictures of the polar landscape and of animals that inhabit polar regions. They plan a vacation to one of these regions and draw pictures or write stories depicting themselves on the trip.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Chickscope 1.5: Explore: EggMath: The Shape of an Egg
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Description: This activity from Chickscope is a part of the EggMath site which looks at the mathematics of eggs. In this module, students look at several geometric concepts related to an egg's shape, beginning with Symmetry and Cross-Sections which discusses the egg as a near-ellipse and its axes of symmetry. Surfaces of Revolution page explains how the egg can be considered a surface of revolution and provides other examples. Ellipses with Pins and String explains how to draw a perfect ellipse and Equations for an Ellipse discusses methods of finding equations for an ellipse. Cartesian Ovals explains what a Cartesian oval is and demonstrates how to construct one. Cassini Ovals discusses the ovals of Cassini and demonstrates how they can be drawn. Many of these sections include interactive applets that require a Java-capable browser.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Where Do Your Possessions Come From?
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the activities involved in producing their own belongings and gain an understanding of and appreciation for the Earth's natural resources. In the process, they may become more conscious consumers.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Nutrition | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Regional Foods
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the culture of different regions by learning about differences in foods and recipes. They create maps of the United States and the world based on what they have learned about various regions through Internet research.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Story Telling | Social Studies - Geography
Title: New Takes on Old Tales
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students revamp a classic fairy tale so that it takes place in today's world. They base their stories on original fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Regional Guidebook
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students are asked to consider the unique physical and human characteristics of their home region and to create guidebooks that describe these features to visitors to the region. In the process, they gain an awareness of the human and environmental factors that make places unique.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Spice World
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students create a map showing the origins of the spices and herbs that help flavor their favorite dishes. Related activities for parents to do with their children are also found on this page.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Geo-Generations
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students create a "Geo-Generations Scrapbook" that charts where members of their family have lived and tells what those places were like. They do this by interviewing relatives and collecting related memorabilia.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Reviving Bodie
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Description: In this Xpeditoins lesson, students research the ghost town of Bodie and imagine that the state of California has decided to make Bodie a town again and to let people settle there. Groups of students write guides for the town's new potential citizens, explaining the things they need to know about the town's climate, landscape, location, natural resources, and history.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Agriculture | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Spice Geography
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson encourages students to think about where the ingredients in their food come from and how they are produced. Students investigate the origins of a variety of spices from around the world and map these locations. They then research and create presentations describing the climate, terrain, and agricultural practices in the places they have mapped.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Disease | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: The Spread of AIDS
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students research the spread of AIDS and how it has been affected by changes in global transportation and trade. They create multimedia reports to present their findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Trade and Transportation in the United States
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students imagine what it would be like to operate a plane, train, or truck along a trade route across the United States. They also look at maps of major U.S. transportation networks and explain how specific products might get from one place to another.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Social Studies - Comparative Political Systems | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Charting Countries of the World
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students collect information about countries then enter that information on a chart that they use to compare the sizes, populations, and political characteristics of the different countries. Using this information, students are able to ask and answer geographic questions as they relate to the division and control of Earth's surface.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: The United States at Night
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson has students look at a map of Russia as seen at night, showing the lights that indicate settlement patterns. They then look at United States maps to figure out what the U.S. might look like at night and they draw U.S. maps illustrating their findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: The United States/Mexico Border
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students research daily life, industries, and the political situation along the United States/Mexico border. They conduct Internet research to learn more about what it might be like to live at the border and the controversies surrounding U.S. government policies along the border. They conclude by creating visual presentations showcasing the things they've learned about the border.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Weather and Agriculture
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students research, discuss, and write reports on the relationship between climate and agriculture. They pretend that they've just purchased farms in specific parts of the United States and investigate that region's weather and climate in order to maximize the chances that their farms succeed.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Meteorology | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Weather Complaints
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to consider the weather and climate in their home region and to think about the ways in which people complain about the weather. Students refer to a climate map to predict what the climate might be like in specified United States cities. They then find out the average temperatures and precipitation for those cities by using a weather Web site. As a final project, students write statements that people in these cities might make to describe their weather and climate.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: EggMath: Embryo Calculus: 9-12 Algebra
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Description: This activity is a part of the EggMath site which looks at the mathematics of eggs. In this module, students consider the growth of a chicken embryo and relate that to an investigation of exponential functions, including the role of the base (with special attention to e) and tangent lines. Several applets are provided to explore the ideas, including a model of cell growth and a general exponential function in which the base can be changed. Thus, users will want to have Java to take full advantage of the activity. This page ties biology together with algebra to give students a well-rounded view of exponential functions. It helps to promote the understanding of the properties of exponents and exponential functions in a way that may be interesting and enjoyable, giving them some idea of how this important mathematical concept applies to the real world.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Engineering | Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: What Happened to Whom?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to consider the natural disasters that might occur near their homes and to determine where it would be best to build a house in order to avoid damage from a natural disaster or storm. They do the Xpeditions activity titled "Stormy Stories," research natural disasters and storms, and write reports pretending their families have sought their advice on the safest places to build a new home.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns | Mathematics - Probability
Title: Math Forum: Exploring Pascal's Triangle: 9-12 Algebra
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Description: Many people have noted interesting patterns that can be found in Pascal's triangle, and many of those patterns are pulled together in this activity. The activity from The Math Forum is set up as a very open-ended investigation, beginning with determining how successive rows of the triangle are generated and extending to other patterns. While there is relatively little guidance for the teacher, a hint section is given at the bottom of the page that would be helpful for teachers and maybe even students. The hint section includes links to pages giving information about patterns that can be found related to Fibonacci numbers, triangular numbers, tetrahedral numbers, hexagonal numbers, powers of 2, powers of 11, Sierpinski's triangle, binomial coefficients, and more. The information provided could lead to some very interesting investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Measurements
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Description: This interactive quiz, found in the Aeronautics Internet Textbook, complements a textbook section on measurement and units of measure. Students answer 20 questions and can check their work as they go. There is also a link to the corresponding textbook section.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: What's Up With the Weather?
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students pretend they're meteorologists who have been asked to give a press report explaining what is to blame for the seemingly strange weather patterns that have afflicted the country in the past few years: floods, hurricanes, blizzards, milder-than-normal winters, etc. They conduct research in preparation for making a statement to the press about the issue. Then, students imagine that their family is contemplating a move to California and has asked them to find out what the real risks of living in an earthquake-prone area are. Students research and write a report informing their family about what they should look for when shopping for a home and deciding which neighborhood to live in.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Where Do Your Belongings Come From?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to figure out where their belongings came from and to consider the reasons why many items are imported from other countries. They list the locations of origin for the items they use on a typical morning. They conclude by researching the export industries of an East Asian country and writing paragraphs describing this country's exports to the United States.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Where in the U.S. Would You Want to Live?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson challenges students to think about why objects, in the classroom and in their community, are placed where they are, and how their placement affects our daily lives. In the process, they come to understand the benefits one geographic location might have over another.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Why Do We Have an American Flag?
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students consider how a flag represents a country's people and resources and why a flag can evoke emotions. They view and describe a few flags from around the world and design a new American flag, using ideas about the United States gathered from the Web.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Math Forum: Fractions: Pre-K-2 Lessons and Materials
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Description: This site from Math Forum is a collection of lesson plans, FAQs and software could be a useful resource for elementary school teachers. While many of the activities are related to ideas beyond the early grades (such as computation), quite a few will be useful for teachers of Pre-K-2. For example, in the activity Orange Slices, young students can look at the number of slices in an orange to investigate fractional parts. In the link Hershey Fractions, students divide chocolate bars into fractional parts. There is also a comprehensive set of reference materials on mathematics that teachers might find useful. A teacher exercising some care will find much in this site that they can use to enhance their teaching of fractions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Your Special Town
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to consider the unique and special features of their hometown and to create a presentation or performance that could be used to welcome visitors to the town. In the process, students gain an awareness of the human and environmental factors that make places unique.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Physics
Title: Properties
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Description: This interactive quiz, found in the Aeronautics Internet Textbook, complements a textbook section on the properties of fluids. Students answer 18 questions and can check their work as they go. There is also a link to the corresponding textbook section.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Your Town in the Past, Present, and Future
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson illustrates one way that the study of geography can be applied to planning for the future. Students research an environmental issue that affects their town or region, draw pictures assuming two possible outcomes for the problem in fifty years (one negative and one positive), and create a plan to educate the community about this issue.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Creative Climates
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students pretend they are head of a new National Geographic Climate Observation Post, where they must create a climate map to illustrate the world's various climate zones. Students explore the world's diverse climate zones and find out how climate affects human life.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Raise the Flag for the European Union
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students research the countries of the European Union (EU) and use this knowledge--along with their creativity--to create a flag for the EU. This activity asks students to consider the physical and cultural characteristics of member countries, existing maps, and other background information in order to come up with an appropriate combination of symbols to represent the EU member countries.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Visualizing an Infinite Series
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Description: This activity, from Cynthia Lanius at Rice University, begins with a visual representation of an infinite series--a mathematical concept that is often only treated symbolically--by looking at an isosceles trapezoid. The trapezoid is divided into four smaller trapezoids, each with an area 1/4 the original. As the series progresses, it can be seen that it eventually approaches 1/3. The visualization is followed by a few activities for students to try to further demonstrate the infinite series.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: History Through Headlines
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students match historical newspaper headlines to cities based on online research and place them in chronological order. This activity helps them learn how cities have changed over time, and about how specific geographical surroundings affect the way we live our lives.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: A Reason for the Season
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students explore the changing of the seasons. They learn why the season change and then test their knowledge using a cosmic map.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Power of Fire
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students map natural hazards around the world. They figure out where people face danger from earthquakes and volcanoes and create a map showing where these natural hazards may occur.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Elementary School Lessons & Materials for Teachers: Measurement Resources
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Description: This site from Math Forum has an extensive collection of resources for K-6 grades related to measurement. Sections include lessons on length, area and volume, metric units and conversion, and non-standard units and estimation, as well as more general resources. For example, from this page you can go to the "Ask Dr. Math" section where you can find answers to tough questions. There are also a number of reference pages on various related topics and links to resources on other sites. A particularly good resource for the 3-5 grade band is the lesson: Area and Volume that designed to help students better understand units of measurement. The link Tree Measurement shows students ways to measure trees and provides a nice link to Data Analysis through its emphasis on collecting the data. All together these lessons make for a great resource to enrich student's understanding of measurement. Teachers may also find useful historical information about units of measurement in the reference materials.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Engineering | Science - Physics
Title: Aerodynamics in Automobile Racing
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Description: In this lesson, from the Aeronautics Internet Textbook, students investigate the importance of aerodynamic downforce in automobile racing using statistics from races at the Indy 500 since 1960.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Math Forum: Measurement Resources: Elementary Level Lessons
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Description: This site from Math Forum has an extensive collection of resources for K-6 grades related to measurement. Sections include lessons on length, area and volume, metric units and conversion, and non-standard units and estimation, as well as more general resources. For example, from this page you can go to the "Ask Dr. Math" section where you can find answers to questions about measurement. There are also a number of reference pages on various related topics and links to resources on other sites. A particularly good resource for the Pre-K-2 grade band is the lesson: Inch By Inch, designed to show students what an inch really looks like using a story. A second lesson, Non-Standard Measuring, gives students experience using a non-standard measuring tool, thus increasing their focus on the unit. All together these lessons make for a great resource to enrich student's understanding of measurement. Teachers may also find useful historical information about units of measurement in the reference materials.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Xpedition Hall
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Description: Built around the National Geography Standards, Xpedition Hall is a virtual museum that is filled with interactive exhibits designed to provoke reflection on how human beings shape and are shaped by the world in which we live. The Hall contains one exhibit for each of standard, and groups these exhibits into six galleries, which correspond to the standards' six underlying "elements." Students use can use an image or map of the Hall to navigate through the exhibits.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Math Forum: Fractions: Middle School Lessons and Materials
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Description: This site from Math Forum is a collection of lessons plans, FAQs and software that is a great resource for middle school teachers. Lesson plans cover all topics related to fractions, including basic concepts of fractions such as equivalence and operations with fractions. One particularly interesting activity is {LINK Fraction Games }, a hands-on activity in which students use equivalent fractions to make wholes in a game format. Fractions in Everyday Life invites students to adjust recipes by multiplying and dividing. A teacher exercising some care will find much in this site that they can use to enhance their teaching of fractions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Women in the Olympic Arena
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Description: This site from The Copernicus Education Gateway is a lesson that addresses the Olympics, a topic that can tie in with current events as well as with other subject areas. Students are asked to use almanacs to collect winning times for a range of events in which both men and women compete, noting whether the difference in time has decreased over the years. Students are asked to analyze the data they collect and attempt to answer several questions around the theme, "Are there sports in which women might eventually be competitive with men?" They are encouraged to make charts and graphs to represent the data they have collected. A skilled teacher might want to incorporate some discussion of different possible representations used and which best present the salient features of the data. This lesson provides good connections to other subjects and might well be a part of an interdisciplinary unit on the Olympics. However, given the sometimes awkward gender relations among adolescents, teachers may want to be careful to maintain a very even-handed approach to this lesson and emphasize areas in which women excel.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Affidavit and Flyers from the Chinese Boycott Case
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Description: Under Article I, Section 8, Clause 4, of the U.S. Constitution, the Congress is granted the power to "establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization." With passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, Congress exercised this authority, denying the rights of citizenship to all Chinese immigrants. The Chinese Boycott Case demonstrates one instance when immigrants overcame the ramifications of such laws through the U.S. judicial system. This lesson is provided by the National Archives and Records Administration.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - North Carolina
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - North Dakota
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns
Title: People Patterns
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Description: This site comes from The Annenberg Media partnership which was created to improve K-12 education through the use of the Web and digital satellite technology. This on-line activity provides students with an interesting challenge: to try to figure out who should come next in a line of people, based on some combination of attributes (such as height, color of clothes, etc.). In addition to building their problem solving and reasoning abilities, students will be engaged in a study of patterns, an important underlying foundation for later study of algebra, and indeed for all of mathematics.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Contour Maps with DOGSTAILS
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students craft miniature mountains from lumps of clay. They then translate their mountains into topographic maps that include vital features and information such as date, orientation, grid, scale, title, author, index, legend, and sources--or DOGSTAILS, for short. When students know what goes into creating a representational map, they are more likely to understand how to analyze the geographic information in other maps.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: People Patterns
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Description: This site comes from The Annenberg Media partnership which was created to improve K-12 education through the use of the Web and digital satellite technology. The study of patterns is an important underlying foundation for later study of algebra, and indeed for all of mathematics. This on-line activity invites students to try to figure out who should come next in a line of people, based on some combination of attributes (such as height, color of clothes, etc.). The difficulty can be varied by changing the number of people who are initially given. One drawback is that the site doesn't keep track of your choices, making systematic trial-and-error difficult. The program seems to randomize the choices you make from turn to turn. Despite this limitation, the content is interesting and well-executed. The ability to view comments from other problem-solvers is a big plus. Additional challenges can be found by clicking on the navigation bar at the top of the window.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra
Title: People Patterns
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Description: This site comes from The Annenberg Media partnership which was created to improve K-12 education through the use of the Web and digital satellite technology. The study of patterns is an important underlying foundation for later study of algebra, and indeed for all of mathematics. This on-line activity invites students to try to figure out who should come next in a line of people, based on some combination of attributes (such as height, color of clothes, etc.). Changing the number of people who are initially given can vary the difficulty. You will definitely want your students to start with the easiest version, as the more difficult levels can be very challenging, even for adults! The ability to view comments from other problem-solvers is a big plus. Additional challenges can be found by clicking on the navigation bar at the top of the window, but this was a favorite for young children.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns
Title: People Patterns
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Description: This site comes from The Annenberg Media partnership which was created to improve K-12 education through the use of the Web and digital satellite technology. This on-line activity provides students with an interesting challenge: to try to figure out who should come next in a line of people, based on some combination of attributes (such as height, color of clothes, etc.). In addition to building their problem solving and reasoning abilities, students will be engaged in a study of patterns, an important underlying foundation for later study of algebra, and indeed for all of mathematics. The ability to view comments from other problem-solvers is a big plus. Additional challenges can be found by clicking on the navigation bar at the top of the window, but this was a favorite for young children.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Math Forum: Finding the Value of Pi: 6-8 Measurement
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Description: This site is from the Math Forum collection. Math Forum's goal is to "build an online community of teachers, students, researchers, parents, educators, and citizens at all levels who have an interest in math and math education." This resource is a part of the a set of activities addressing Famous Problems in the History of Mathematics. The "Value of Pi" briefly discusses the historical discovery of pi, then goes on to look at how approximations of pi have improved over time, including the formulas and methods developed by various mathematicians. Links are also provided to biographies of the mathematicians who developed these techniques. A final exercise provides and interactive applet addressing the problem of Squaring the Circle, a problem which has been shown to be impossible using only compass and straight-edge. While the discussion of limits may be somewhat advanced for middle grades students, this resource will nonetheless be useful to teachers addressing the use of pi in computational formulas; the chart showing how the accuracy of our approximations has improved over the centuries may prove quite interesting to students.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Math Forum: Finding the Value of Pi: 9-12 Measurement
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Description: This site is from the Math Forum collection. Math Forum's goal is to "build an online community of teachers, students, researchers, parents, educators, and citizens at all levels who have an interest in math and math education." This resource is a part of the a set of activities addressing Famous Problems in the History of Mathematics. The "Value of Pi" briefly discusses the historical discovery of pi, then goes on to look at how approximations of pi have improved over time, including the formulas and methods developed by various mathematicians. Links are also provided to biographies of the mathematicians who developed these techniques. A final exercise provides and interactive applet addressing the problem of Squaring the Circle, a problem which has been shown to be impossible using only compass and straight-edge. This resource will be useful to teachers addressing the use of pi in computational formulas (or discussing irrational numbers); the chart showing how the accuracy of our approximations has improved over the centuries may prove quite interesting to students.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Cynthia Lanius' Lesson: Polyominoes
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Description: This Illuminations Web resource activity helps students to make connections between geometry and algebra (curve-fitting), assigning variables, making predictions, writing formulas, and graphing perimeter. First students explore polyominoes which are figures formed of congruent squares placed so that the squares share a side. Then students are asked to find out how many different pentaminoes there are by drawing them on square grid paper. Students are also asked to draw as many different hexominoes as they can. Next, the students try to create a system of polyominoes with equilateral triangles rather than squares. Further, students investigate the perimeter of polyominoes and try to find patterns so they can predict what the perimeter of other polyominoes will be. In addition, students are required to make a table representing the perimeters, complete the table, and graph the ordered pairs as points on a coordinate plane. Students are also given challenge problems to further the investigation.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Everything Comes from Something
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about renewable and nonrenewable resources. They trace resources to their points of origin by constructing and analyzing a product map.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra
Title: Cynthia Lanius' Lessons: Rent a Car: 6-8 Algebra
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Description: This resource is provided from Cynthia Lanius' Homepage through Rice University. Rent-a-Car is an activity designed to use a real-world situation to illustrate linear functions. Further, it connects algebra with real-world experiences. Students are allowed to work individually or in groups (preferred). The students must read a problem situation, make tables and graphs, analyze the graphs, write functions and paragraphs. Students are exposed to graphs, tables, functions, and systems of linear equations. In addition, students must help the Green family decide which rent-a-car plan is best for their family vacation.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Cynthia Lanius' Lessons: Rent a Car: 6-8 Connections
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Description: This resource is provided from Cynthia Lanius' Homepage through Rice University. Rent-a-Car is an activity designed to use a real-world situation to illustrate linear functions. Further, it connects problem solving with real-world experiences. Students are allowed to work individually or in groups. The students must read a problem situation, make tables and graphs, analyze the graphs, write functions and paragraphs. Students need to analyze all of their information to help the Green family decide which rent-a-car plan would be best for their family vacation. Students must make connections between many math skills in order to derive a logical answer.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Calculus
Title: Math Forum: Algebra and Calculus Sketches: 9-12 Algebra
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Description: This resource is provided from The Math Forum. Many people use the Geometer's Sketchpad in studying geometry, but fewer people are aware of its potential in algebra. This page presents a series of sketches which students can use to explore the equations for lines, parabolas, and tangents. For example, Parabola Sketch 2 provides sliders to control the constants in the general (h, k) equation for the parabola, with the changes made being reflected in the graph of the parabola. A number of these activities have suggested discussion questions that could be used as the basis of a student investigation, and questions could be formulated to go with the other activities. Allowing students to perform their own investigations of the graphs may help them to better see the relationship between equations and graphs, enhancing their understanding of both. Geometer's Sketchpad is required to view and interact with the sketches which are provided, but the Math Forum includes a page with information on downloading a demo version which has limitations on saving, printing, and exporting your work, but should be functional in using these activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: ThinkQuest: Totally Tessellated
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Description: This site from ThinkQuest basically provides you anything you might want to know about tessellations. The sites provides thorough descriptions of how to design and carry out various types of tessellations, as well as discussions of the mathematics underlying tessellations, including polygons, angles, transformations, symmetry, and patterns of tilings. There are many examples of tessellations in real life. The work of M. C. Escher and his well-known tessellations is addressed in some detail. Finally, the site extends beyond tessellations to look at more advanced topics, both in art (such as cubist techniques) and in mathematics (such as Penrose tilings). Hands-on activities and templates are provided so that you can explore tessellations on your own. A teacher will find a wealth of information that can be incorporated into lessons or activities related to tessellations, or to bring in some life into lessons on other topics. Students might also be directed to this site as a good source of information for individual investigations or projects.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Foreign Languages - Cultural Awareness | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Cultural Connections: The Tapestry of Life
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, young students use a variety of media to explore culture as the sum of learned patterns of behavior, institutions, values, and belief systems. Students learn how to identify, compare, and appreciate the cultural characteristics of different regions and people.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: UBUYACAR- 6-8 Communication
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Description: This problem-based learning activity is from the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction. This activity promotes the teacher's role as a facilitator of learning rather than a giver of information. Students work in groups to answer the question, 'What should your annual salary be to afford the car you want?' Students use information about debt to income ratio, car costs, loan payments, and so forth that they retrieve from the Web, new-vehicle pricing reports, other blue book publications, tips for car financing, monthly payment tables, and auto magazines. In addition to all the factors involved in choosing a new car, they must also research what it takes to qualify for a loan and consider the long-term costs, such as maintenance and trade-in value. The directions for the project are quite extensive, including tips for the teacher, tips on problem-solving, good questions to ask, background information, and guides for assessing both individual and group performance. The context should prove motivating for students to work together to build their skills in calculating, particularly with decimals and percents.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: UBUYACAR- 9-12 Communication
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Description: This problem-based learning activity is from the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction. This activity promotes the teacher's role as a facilitator of learning rather than a giver of information. Students work in groups to answer the question, 'What should your annual salary be to afford the car you want?' Students use information about debt to income ratio, car costs, loan payments, and so forth that they retrieve from the Web, new-vehicle pricing reports, other blue book publications, tips for car financing, monthly payment tables, and auto magazines. In addition to all the factors involved in choosing a new car, they must also research what it takes to qualify for a loan and consider the long-term costs, such as maintenance and trade-in value. The directions for the project are quite extensive, including tips for the teacher, tips on problem-solving, good questions to ask, background information, and guides for assessing both individual and group performance. While the level of mathematics is not advanced, students are likely to build their skills in working together in exploring what could be a very motivitating context for high school students.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Upside Down- 3-5 Geometry
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Description: This resource comes from Figure This!. Figure This! is a public awareness program funded by the National Science Foundation and the U. S. Department of Education. The 'Figure This!' site provides a growing set of challenges intended to promote students' problem solving ability, and students will enjoy its design lively and colorful, and simple to navigate. While the site is intended for middle grades students, elementary students will also enjoy exploring this challenge, in which they are asked to look at which letters look the same when turned upside down, providing an interesting introduction to symmetry. A number of resources are provided that students can use if they get stuck. The Getting Started section helps students get on the right track. But if they get, stuck there are hints and a section giving possible solutions. There are also related questions for them to try out their knowledge, interesting background information, and other resources. The activity can also be printed out in 'PDF' format that preserves the attractive layout of the page.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Additional Resources 5-12
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Description: This list of resources, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Use this reference material to help you teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Additional Resources K-4
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Description: This list of resources, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Use this reference material to help you teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: U.S. Census Bureau - Census 2000
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Description: Find out information about Census 2000 products and data on this site provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: Lessons to Use with Census 2000 Results
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Description: In spring 2000, families across the nation participated in Census 2000. The Census Bureau has begun tabulating the responses from the millions of questionnaires. On December 28, 2000, the first Census 2000 numbers, showing the state population totals for April 1, 2000, were released. The teaching suggestions and worksheets provided at this site will give you and your students an opportunity to learn about the changes that took place in our country during the 1990s.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: U.S. Census 2000 Questionnaire
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Description: To find more about the Census 2000 questionnaire visit this site sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: American Factfinder: Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: American Factfinder: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - Alaska
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: American Factfinder: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - District of Columbia
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: American Factfinder: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - Florida
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: American Factfinder: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - Louisiana
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: U.S. Census 2000 Press Briefings, News Conferences and Webcasts
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Description: To view press briefings, news conferences and Webcasts relating to Census 2000 visit this site provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - Montana
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Cultural Symbols and the Characteristics of Place
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson explores how the cultures of ancient and modern people are reflected in their cultural symbols. Students compile a series of photographs that show buildings, structures, or statues that represent a city, place, or region.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Visual Fractions
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Description: The Visual Fractions site helps students picture fractions and perform arithmetic operations on them. Users can progress through a sequence of exercises designed to help them learn about fractions and their properties.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - New York
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - Oregon
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - Rhode Island
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Culture in the Cupboard
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson helps students identify some of the cultures new to their part of the world and to understand more about cultural diffusion. They analyze items found in each other's cupboards and closets to determine what the items reveal about the residents' cultural heritage.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - South Dakota
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - Tennessee
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - Texas
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - Utah
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Adventures in Statistics
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Description: In this resource, from The Math Forum at Drexel University, the author describes how his class decided whether the fifth or sixth grade classrooms were larger. The activities described include measuring the rooms, graphing the results, computing the average, analyzing the results, and presenting the findings. Examples of student work are included.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - Wisconsin
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)
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Description: In December 1975, Congress passed Public Law 94-171 which specifies that within one year of Census Day, the Census Bureau must send each state the data that could be used by the state to redraw federal, state and local legislative districts. The law requires the Census Bureau provide redistricting data no later than April 1, 2001, to the 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Find Census 2000 information for each state at this site provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Triangles
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Description: This on-line tutorial steps students through the concept of the sum of the angles of a triangle, and the Pythagorean Theorem. The applet allows students to explore the concepts involved.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - State History
Title: American Factfinder: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File - Minnesota
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Description: The Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, from the U.S. Census Bureau, contains summary statistics on counts for the total population, for the population 18 years and over, and population counts by race and by Hispanic or Latino origin.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: Census Reference Materials
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Description: To find census reference materials which help you incorporate teaching the census into your curriculum visit this site provided by the United States Census Bureau.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Grammar | Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Count Me In!
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Description: Lessons in this guide, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, use readings, activities, and maps of the United States to introduce ESL and Adult students to the United States census, particularly Census 2000. Students will learn what a census is and why it's important to them, their families, and their communities. Lessons are designed to lead students from understanding the census to participating in it.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Create Your Own Form
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Description: This lesson plan, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: American Factfinder: Data Sets
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Description: Visit the U.S. Census Bureau's Data Sets, where you can access all available tables for the Decennial Censuses for 1990 and 2000, the American Community Survey for each year it has been conducted, and the Economic Census for 1997.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: American Factfinder - Decennial Census
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Description: The decennial census occurs every 10 years to count the population and housing units for the entire United States. Its primary purpose is to provide the population counts that determine how seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are apportioned. Census figures also are required to draw congressional and state legislative district boundaries, to allocate federal and state funds, to formulate public policy, and to assist with planning and decision-making in the private sector. American FactFinder contains data from the decennial censuses conducted in Census 2000 and the 1990 Decennial Census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - State History | Social Studies - United States Government
Title: District Decisions
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Description: This lesson plan, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: Census in Schools - ESL and Adult Literacy
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Description: Lessons in this guide, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, use readings, activities, and maps of the United States to introduce ESL and Adult students to the United States census, particularly Census 2000. Students will learn what a census is and why it's important to them, their families, and their communities. Lessons are designed to lead students from understanding the census to participating in it.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Double or Not
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Description: This interactive activity, from Figure This!, asks students to decide whether they would rather receive a fixed daily salary or a much smaller salary that doubles every day for a week. In the course of the activity, students come to realize that the rapid rate of increase in geometric growth will eventually more than compensate for a smaller starting salary. A number of resources are provided that students can use if they get stuck. There are also links to related questions, interesting background information, and other resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Forecasting the Future
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Description: This lesson plan, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Fraction Games
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Description: In these games, from the Math Forum at Drexel University, students use equivalent fractions to make wholes. The purpose of these games is to help students see parts of the whole and equivalent fractions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Fractions in Everyday Life
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Description: This activity, from the Math Forum at Drexel University, focuses on students' working knowledge of fraction multiplication and division. Students are asked to adjust a cookie recipe by multiplying and dividing to change the yield.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Getting There
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Description: This lesson plan, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! It will teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Tour of Fractions
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Description: This collection of lessons plans and other material, from the Math Forum at Drexel University, is a great resource for elementary school teachers. The material covers the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions; equivalent fractions and parts of wholes; real life situations, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Measurement | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Graph It!
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Description: This lesson plan, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Tour of Fractions
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Description: This collection of lessons plans and other resources, from the Math Forum at Drexel University, is a great resource for middle school teachers. Lesson plans cover all topics related to fractions, including basic concepts and operations with fractions. There is also a comprehensive set of reference materials on mathematics that teachers might find useful.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: No Matter What Shape Your Fractions Are in
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Description: This resource, from Cynthia Lanius of Rice University, features an online activity and follow-up questions dealing with fractions and geometry. Students experiment with pattern blocks to make different shapes, then determine the relationships among the shapes (i.e. How many triangles make up a parallelogram?). Finally, they express these relationships as fractions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Mathematics - Number Sense | Science - Biology
Title: Beating Heart
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Description: In this Figure This! challenge, students are asked to figure out on what day their heart will beat for the millionth time, beginning on January 1, 2000. Through this activity, students can get a better intuitive sense for the magnitude of a million (and other big numbers) as well as come to understand the concept of estimation. A number of resources are provided that students can use if they get stuck. There are also related questions, interesting background information, and other resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - State History
Title: Kids Count
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Description: This lesson plan, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Hershey Fractions
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Description: In this lesson, from the Math Forum at Drexel University, students use a chocolate bar to reinforce fractional concepts. Using a worksheet to guide them, groups of students will problem solve to figure out how to divide the bar evenly among their group members.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: U.S. Census Bureau: American Fact Finder
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Description: In the U.S. Census Bureau's American Fact Finder you will find a collection of information from the Decennial Census, American Community Survey (ACS), the Economic Census, Demographic Profiles, Basic Facts tables and maps, and Data Sets.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Inch by Inch
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Description: This lesson, from the Math Forum at Drexel University, gives the students the opportunity to see what an inch really looks like. It also provides them with a chance to be creative using various inch materials and to create a visual referent for what an inch is. Following the reading of the children's book "Inch by Inch," students are asked to create a collage using one-inch strips of paper, and to then find other objects in the room that they could add to their collage. The students are asked to evaluate each others' collages, thereby both providing reinforcement and assessment of their knowledge of the inch unit.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 1 | 2 | 3
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Make Your Own Map
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Description: Thislesson plan, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Making Plans
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Description: This lesson plan, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: U.S. Census 2000 Rankings, Comparisons, and Summaries
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Description: This page includes ranking tables, historical comparisons, summary data, and Census Briefs and Special Reports. These are Census 2000 data products not currently searchable through American FactFinder, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Measurement References
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Description: This resource, from the Math Forum at Drexel University, features a list of reference materials pertaining to measurement. Topics covered by the references include units of measurement, measurement systems, unit conversion, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Samples and Stats
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Description: This leson plan, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Measurement Resources: Elementary School Lessons & Materials for Teachers
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Description: This Math Forum Web site features a collection of measurement-related resources for grades K-6. Sections include lessons on length, area and volume, metric units and conversion, and non-standard units and estimation, as well as more general resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - State History
Title: Size It Up
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Description: This lesson plan, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Statistics | Mathematics - Trigonometry
Title: Measurement Resources: Middle School Lessons & Materials for Teachers
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Description: This Math Forum Web site features a collection of measurement-related resources geared toward the middle grades. Sections include lessons on length, area and volume, metric units and conversion, and non-standard units and estimation, as well as more general resources. All together this collection makes a great resource to enrich students' understanding of measurement.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - State History | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Census and You
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Description: Lessons in this guide, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, use readings, activities, and maps of the United States to introduce ESL and Adult students to the United States census, particularly Census 2000. Students will learn what a census is and why it's important to them, their families, and their communities. Lessons are designed to lead students from understanding the census to participating in it.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography
Title: American Factfinder: Thematic Maps
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Description: View Thematic Maps from the U.S. Census Bureau that display census data items graphically.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Multiplication: An Adventure in Number Sense
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Description: This resource, from Natural Math, features helpful hints for students learning the multiplication tables. Students too often try to memorize their multiplication facts without taking advantage of their number sense to make the task easier. This tutorial leads the student through a number of different strategies for cutting the task of memorizing multiplication facts down to size.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Non-Standard Measuring
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Description: This measurement lesson, from the Math Forum at Drexel University, is based on the book Miss Nelson is Missing. Students learn that nonstandard units are less reliable when they use candy bars of various sizes to measure classroom objects.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 1 | 2 | 3
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Where We Live
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Description: This lesson plan, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will help bring the census to life for your students! Teach skills that correlate with national standards and demonstrate the importance and many benefits of the census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Explore the Spatial Patterns of Your Hometown
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students analyze the distribution of businesses and residences within their own communities in order to develop a more sophisticated understanding of already familiar places. The ability to recognize and describe patterns within the distribution of physical and human features on Earth is essential to developing a geographic perspective.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns
Title: People Patterns
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Description: This interactive activity, from Annenberg Media, invites students to try to figure out who should come next in a line of people, based on some combination of attributes (such as height, color of clothes, etc.). The difficulty can be varied by changing the number of people who are initially given. Users can access additional challenges by clicking on the navigation bar at the top of the window.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Rectangle Pattern Challenges
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Description: This activity, from Cynthia Lanius at Rice University, presents a growing rectangular design in three stages. Students are asked to analyze how the pattern grows. A series of thought questions and a related assignment are also included.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Shape and Space in Geometry: About Space
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Description: These interactive activities, from Annenberg Media, are designed to promote visualization of three-dimensional objects. They take on some rather sophisticated mathematics at an intuitive and informal level.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Big Beginner Number Puzzle
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Description: This resource, from the Number and Word Puzzles Web site, features a printable crossnumber puzzle that relies on knowledge of patterns, percents, averages, fractions, and basic operations to solve.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Exploring Physical and Human Characteristics of Earth's Spaces
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students travel around the world on a visual scavenger hunt. They select a handful of important natural and cultural characteristics of places and then search through magazines such as "National Geographic," or online for photographs that illustrate the range of those characteristics. They also chart the locations they find on a map of the world.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Surface Area of a Sphere
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Description: In this lesson, from the Math Forum at Drexel University, students learn the derivation of the formula for determining the surface area of a sphere. They do this by imagining wrapping a ball in paper that is as wide as the ball's diameter and as long as its circumference.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Old Stamps
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Description: This Figure This! challenge focuses on having students figure out how an old roll of 15 cent stamps could be combined with some new 33 cent stamps to mail a package. A number of resources are provided that students can use if they get stuck, including hints and a section giving possible solutions. There are also links to related questions, interesting background information, and other resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Tangrams
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Description: This set of activities, from the Math Forum at Drexel University, uses tangrams to compute the area of polygons without formulas. The unit consists of two lessons, sequenced in difficulty, along with complete answer sheets. Directions are also provided for constructing a set of tangrams, should you not have a commercially-produced set.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: The Dance of Chance
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Description: The Dance of Chance exhibit is a collaboration between the Center for Polymer Studies and the Boston Museum of Science. The focus of the exhibit is the emergence of patterns in nature from physical and biological processes which, on the microscopic level, appear to be dominated by chance.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: I Took a Trip on a Train
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Description: In this interactive activity, from Annenberg Media, students are asked to imagine that they have taken a peculiar train trip around a circular track. Inside the circle are some geometrical shapes. While on the train, they took four snapshots of what they saw while looking into the center of the circle, but then they dropped the pictures and they're all mixed up. Their task is to put them back in order.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Tree Measurement
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Description: This activity, from the Math Forum at Drexel University, helps students understand vertical and horizontal measurement of large objects by having groups measure the circumference of the trunk, the height, and the crown of a tree. They then compare results with other groups and create a graph of their findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Upside Down
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Description: In this Figure This! challenge, students are asked to look at which letters look the same when turned upside down, providing an interesting introduction to symmetry. A number of resources are provided that students can use if they get stuck, including hints and a section giving possible solutions. Related questions, background information, and other resources are also included.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Number Theory
Title: How Many Valentines
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Description: This on-line activity, from Annenberg Media, asks students to determine how many valentines are exchanged if each student in a class of 28 gives a valentine to each of the other students in class? Students are first encouraged to solve a simpler problem and are walked through different methods that could be used to solve the problem. Finally, they look at how they could solve the original problem. Along the way, they are encouraged to type in their thoughts on the screen.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Geometry | Science - Physics
Title: The Vector Cross Product
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Description: This activity, from the Syracuse University Department of Physics, allows students to control two vectors and observe their cross product in three-dimensions, as well as to view the cross product from different vantage points by spinning the plane in which A and B lie. A separate pop-up window provides numerical values for the vectors. Finally, a succinct description of the mathematics behind the cross product is provided following the interactive applet.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Fallout from Chornobyl
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students read and analyze several articles describing consequences of the 1986 explosion and fire at a nuclear power plant in Chornobyl, Ukraine. Students then create a map showing which countries were affected by the disaster and how they were affected.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Creating, Describing, and Analyzing Patterns to Recognize Relationships and Make Predictions: Making Patterns
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Description: This three-part example from Illuminations highlights different aspects of students' understanding and use of patterns as they analyze relationships and make predictions, as discussed in the Algebra Standard. This first part, Making Patterns, includes an interactive figure for creating, comparing, and viewing multiple repetitions of patterns. The interactive figure illustrates how students can create pattern units of squares, then predict how patterns with different numbers of squares will appear when repeated in a grid, and check their predictions. In the second part, Describing Patterns, examples of various ways students might interpret the same sequence of cubes are given. This illustrates the importance of discussing and analyzing patterns in the classroom. The third part, Extending Pattern Understandings, demonstrates ways in which students begin to create a 'unit of units,' or a grouping that can be repeated, and begin to relate two patterns in a functional relationship. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Investigating the Concept of Triangle and the Properties of Polygons: Making Triangles
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Description: This two-part example from Illuminations describes activities using interactive geoboards to help students identify simple geometric shapes, describe their properties, and develop spatial sense. This first part, Making Triangles, focuses attention on the concept of triangle, helping students understand the mathematical meaning of a triangle and the idea of congruence, or sameness, in geometry. In the next part, Creating Polygons, students make and compare a variety of polygons, describing the salient properties of the shapes they create. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Developing Geometry Understandings and Spatial Skills through Puzzlelike Problems with Tangrams
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Description: Describing figures and visualizing what they look like when they are transformed through rotations or flips or are put together or taken apart in different ways are important aspects of geometry in the lower grades. This two-part tangram example from Illuminations demonstrates the potential for high-quality experiences provided by computer 'shape' environments for students as they learn concepts described in the Geometry Standard. Problem-solving tasks that involve physical manipulatives as well as virtual manipulatives afford many students an entry into mathematics that they might not otherwise experience. In this part, Tangram Puzzles, students can choose a picture and use all seven pieces to fill in the outline. In the second part, Tangram Challenges, students can use tangram pieces to form given polygons. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Learning about Number Relationships and Properties of Numbers Using Calculators and Hundred Boards: Displaying Number Patterns
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Description: Building on students' intuitive understandings of patterns and number relationships, teachers can further the development of number concepts and logical reasoning as described in the Number and Operations and Reasoning and Proof Standards. In this two-part example from Illuminations, virtual hundred boards and calculators furnish a visual way of highlighting and displaying various patterns and relationships among numbers. Using calculators and hundred boards together, teachers can encourage students to communicate their thinking with others, as discussed in the Communication Standard. In this first part, Displaying Number Patterns, the same patterns are displayed on a calculator and on a hundred board simultaneously. In the second part, Patterns to 100 and Beyond, students examine number patterns, using a calculator to move beyond 100. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Theory
Title: Communicating about Mathematics Using Games: Playing Fraction Tracks
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Description: Mathematical games can foster mathematical communication as students explain and justify their moves to one another. In addition, games can motivate students and engage them in thinking about and applying concepts and skills. This e-example from Illuminations contains an interactive version of a game that can be used in the grades 3-5 classroom to support students' learning about fractions. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Functions
Title: Understanding Distance, Speed, and Time Relationships Using Simulation Software
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Description: This e-example includes a software simulation of two runners along a track. Students can control the speeds and starting points of the runners, watch the race, and examine a graph of the time-versus-distance relationship. The computer simulation uses a context familiar to students, and the technology allows them to analyze the relationships more deeply because of the ease of manipulating the environment and observing the changes that occur. Activities like these can help students in the upper elementary grades understand ideas about functions and about representing change over time. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Exploring Properties of Rectangles and Parallelograms Using Dynamic Software
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Description: Dynamic geometry software provides an environment in which students can explore geometric relationships and make and test conjectures. In this example fom Illuminations, properties of rectangles and parallelograms are examined. The emphasis is on identifying what distinguishes a rectangle from a more general parallelogram. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Meteorology
Title: Collecting, Representing, and Interpreting Data Using Spreadsheets and Graphing Software: Collecting and Examining Weather Data
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Description: Spreadsheets and graphing software are tools for organizing, representing, and comparing data. This lesson from Illuminations illustrates how weather data can be collected and examined using these tools. In the first part, Collecting and Examining Weather Data, students organize and then examine data that has been collected over a period of time in a spreadsheet. In the second part, Representing and Interpreting Data, students use the graphing functions of a spreadsheet to help them interpret data. Working on activities like these, students learn to set up a simple spreadsheet and use it in posing and solving problems, examining data, and investigating patterns. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Learning about Multiplication Using Dynamic Sketches of an Area Model
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Description: Students can learn to visualize the effects of multiplying a fixed positive number by positive numbers greater than 1 and less than 1 with this tool. Using interactive figures, students can investigate how changing the height of a rectangle with a fixed width changes its area. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Clocks...Teaching Time
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Description: This resource, from the Franklin Institute, provides links to all things time-related. There are links to two exhibits about clocks and telling time, time activities, time lesson plans, and vocabulary and book lists. This collection will prove useful to any teacher doing a unit on clocks and telling time.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: All
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Functions
Title: Learning about Rate of Change in Linear Functions Using Interactive Graphs: Constant Cost per Minute
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Description: In this two-part example from Illuminations, users can drag a slider on an interactive graph to modify a rate of change (cost per minute for phone use) and learn how modifications in that rate affect the linear graph displaying accumulation (the total cost of calls). In this first part, Constant Cost per Minute, the cost per minute for phone use remains constant over time. In the second part, Changing Cost per Minute, the cost per minute for phone use changes after the first sixty minutes of calls. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Learning about Length, Perimeter, Area, and Volume of Similar Objects Using Interactive Figures: Side Length and Area of Similar Figures
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Description: This two-part example from Illuminations illustrates how students can learn about the length, perimeter, area, and volume of similar objects using dynamic figures. In this part, Side Length and Area of Similar Figures, the user can manipulate the side lengths of one of two similar rectangles and the scale factor to learn about how the side lengths, perimeters, and areas of the two rectangles are related. In the second part, Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids, the user can manipulate the scale factor that links two three-dimensional rectangular prisms and learn about the relationships among edge lengths, surface areas, and volumes. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Disease | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Geographic Diffusion of Disease: The Flu Pandemic of 1918-19
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson focuses on the spatial diffusion of the influenza (flu) pandemic of 1918-19. Spatial diffusion is the geographic spread of ideas, innovations, or phenomena (such as disease).
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Understanding Congruence, Similarity, and Symmetry Using Transformations and Interactive Figures: Visualizing Transformations
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Description: The interactive figures in this four-part example from Illuminations allow a user to manipulate a shape and observe its behavior under a particular transformation or composition of transformations. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Understanding the Pythagorean Relationship Using Interactive Figures
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Description: The Pythagorean relationship, a2 + b2 = c2 (where a and b are the lengths of the legs of a right triangle and c is the hypotenuse), can be demonstrated in many ways, including with visual 'proofs' that require little or no symbolism or explanation. The activity in this example from Illuminations presents one dynamic version of a demonstration of this relationship. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Pressing...Full Steam Ahead
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Description: This Franklin Institute resource describes one of their pieces--first "powered" coining press to be used at the United States Mint in Philadelphia. Thonnelier invented the press in France in 1833. When it arrived in Philadelphia, Franklin Peale of the U.S. Mint made improvements to this model. The coining press was first operated on March 22, 1836.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: All
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Comparing Properties of the Mean and the Median through the use of Technology
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Description: Using interactive software, students can compare and contrast properties of measures of central tendency, specifically the influence of changes in data values on the mean and median. As students change the data values, the interactive figure immediately displays the mean and median of the new data set. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Geometry | Science - Engineering | Science - Physics
Title: Learning about Properties of Vectors and Vector Sums Using Dynamic Software: Components of a Vector
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Description: This e-example from Illuminations illustrates how using a dynamic geometrical representation can help students develop an understanding of vectors and their properties. Students manipulate a velocity vector to control the movement of an object in a gamelike setting. In this part, Components of a Vector, students will develop an understanding that vectors are composed of both magnitude and direction. In the second part, Sums of Vectors and Their Properties, students extend their knowledge of number systems to the system of vectors. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Functions | Science - Pharmacology
Title: Using Graphs, Equations, and Tables to Investigate the Elimination of Medicine from the Body: Modeling the Situation
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Description: This three-part e-example from Illuminations illustrates the use of iteration, recursion, and algebra to model and analyze the changing amount of medicine in an athlete's body. This example includes: (1) an interactive environment used to become familiar with the parameters involved and the range of results that can be obtained, (2) an interactive environment used to investigate how changing parameter values affects the stabilization level of medicine in the body, and (3) an interactive graphical analysis that provides a visual interpretation of the results. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Understanding the Least Squares Regression Line with a Visual Model: Measuring Error in a Linear Model
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Description: This example from Illuminations allows students to explore three methods for measuring how well a linear model fits a set of data points. In this example, two of the methods use residuals and the third uses the shortest distance between a data point and the line given by the model. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Functions
Title: Exploring Linear Functions: Representational Relationships
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Description: Technology allows the linking of multiple representations of mathematical situations and the exploration of the relationships that emerge. This example from Illuminations presents a series of explorations based on two linked representations of linear functions. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics (PSSM). The e-examples are part of the electronic version of the PSSM document. Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Pan Balance -- Shapes
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, provides an interesting environment in which students can consider the concept of equivalence. The interactive pan balance uses multiple shapes with different values, allowing students to investigate what happens as different shapes are placed on the balance.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Pan Balance -- Expressions
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Description: This interactive pan balance, from Illuminations, allows students to enter and compare numeric or algebraic expressions. They can "weigh" the expressions they want to compare by entering them on either side of the balance, allowing them to practice arithmetic and algebraic skills, as well as to investigate the concept of equivalence.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Fraction Game
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, simulates a flash card fraction game. Students flip cards one at a time and try to match the values to the given number lines.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Illuminations Activities
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Description: This Web page, from Illuminations, allows users to access all of Illuminations' online, interactive activities. The activities span the grades and encompass all areas of mathematics.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Trigonometry
Title: Paper Pool
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, simulates the behavior of a pool ball on pool tables of various dimensions. Students can manipulate the dimensions of the table to see how the ball's behavior changes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Functions
Title: Spreadsheet and Graphing Calculator
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, can be used to investigate rational functions or exponential functions. It can also be used to investigate any other functions that can be explored with a graphing calculator or with spreadsheet software.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Vector Investigation: Boat to the Island
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Description: In this student interactive, from Illuminations, students "drive" a boat by adjusting the magnitude and direction of a velocity vector. The goal is to land the boat on the island without hitting the walls.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra
Title: Affine Recurrence Plotter
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, can be used to graphically investigate the effects of parameters a, b, and c in the following affine recurrence relation: A(n) = b × A(n - 1) + c, A(0) = a. The affine recurrence plotter can be used to investigate the balance in a savings account that earns simple interest, or the population of a stocked trout pond.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra
Title: Affine Recurrence Spreadsheet: A (n) = r *A (n -1) +b
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Description: This tool from Illuminations is a customized spreadsheet based on a general Spreadsheet and Graphing Tool. The spreadsheet is preloaded so that you can numerically investigate affine recurrence relations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Factor Game
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Description: This interactive game, from Illuminations, allows students to exercise their factoring ability. They can play against a friend or the computer as they take turns choosing a number and identifying all of its factors.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Map of the United States from Xpeditions Atlas
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Description: This resource, found in the Xpeditions Atlas, is a printable map of the United States. The maps available in the atlas allow the user to choose basic or detailed view, turn borders on or off, and save the map as a .pdf or .gif file. There are over 1800 maps available in the atlas.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Punching and Crunching...a Shower of Stats
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Description: This Franklin Institute resource discusses Herman Hollerith's 1884 invention of the Electric Tabulating System. Hollerith's system was used in tabulating census data punched on cards for the 1890 Federal Census.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Map of Alabama from Xpeditions Atlas
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Description: This resource, found in the Xpeditions Atlas, is a printable map of Alabama. The maps available in the atlas allow the user to choose basic or detailed view, turn borders on or off, and save the map as a .pdf or .gif file. There are over 1800 maps available in the atlas.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Mathematical Metaphors in Art
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Description: In this lesson, students investigate the role of mathematics in their everyday lives. They then discover, through reading a Times article and through analyzing a specific example of art, that mathematics exists on a deeper 'metaphoric' level in art. This lesson is found on the New York Times Learning Network.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics
Title: Is the Ruble Becoming Rubbish?
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Description: In this lesson, students analyze the effects of economic turmoil on various segments of the Russian economy and relate them to the local economy and their own lives. Students will trace the 'ripple effect' of a troubled economy from a local business to the rest of the community. This lesson is found on the New York Times Learning Network.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: A Look at the Population Density of the United States
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Description: In this lesson from Xpeditions, students learn to "see the world in spatial terms" by analyzing population density at all levels and plotting the information on maps. Population density refers to the number of individuals occupying a specified area. The population density is derived by dividing the number of people by the area they occupy.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Africa Falls Prey to H.I.V.
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Description: This lesson encourages students to use their knowledge about H.I.V. and AIDS to evaluate the current epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Students use maps to track the rate of growth of H.I.V. infections in these African countries, calculate and graph statistics from a related New York Times article to determine population changes and the rate of the spread of H.I.V., and as homework write an essay detailing possible solutions to curbing the H.I.V./AIDS pandemic. This lesson is found on the New York Times Learning Network.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Analyzing Meteorological Data from Mars
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Description: In this set of four activities, from the Burns Telecommunications Center at Montana State University, students compare real-time Earth and Mars weather measurements for temperature, wind speed, humidity, and atmospheric pressure by accessing Internet-data resources from NASA.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Smoking | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: All Choked up by Smoking Statistics
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Description: In this lesson, students use the article "More College Students Are Smoking, Study Says" as a springboard for discussion on the reasons why people smoke cigarettes and investigate different methods of graphing statistics by using the data provided in the article. Students also create graphs from a table provided by the American Lung Association regarding smoking habits among high school seniors from 1976 to 1997 as a way to demonstrate understanding of how to present statistics graphically in a variety of ways. This lesson is found on the New York Times Learning Network.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Journalism | Mathematics - Number Sense | Science - Astronomy
Title: I've Got Your Number
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Description: In this lesson, students assess the journalistic value of numbers used in newspaper articles while learning about the significance of the Hubble telescope's new data on the age of the universe. This lesson is found on the New York Times Learning Network.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Patterns | Science - Astronomy | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Digital Images: From Satellites to the Internet
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Description: In this set of activities, from Burns Telecommunications Center, students will learn about digital images and how satellites orbiting Earth send information and pictures to Earth over the Internet. They will create digital images from binary data sets and design information transfer systems.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Science - Natural History | Science - Paleontology
Title: Dinosaur Math/Coloring Activities
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Description: This resource, from Enchanted Learning, features a collection of printable coloring sheets. The sheets, each of which depicts a dinosaur, are a play on the traditional "color-by-numbers." Children must add single-digit numbers to determine which color to use.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: The Bell Curve
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Description: The goal of this lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., is to introduce the concepts of the normal curve, skewness, and the standard deviation. The controversy over the 1994 book "The Bell Curve" is also examined.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Biology
Title: Chaos
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Description: This lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., is designed to lead students to explore various incarnations of chaos. Students learn about chaos through disucssions and by experimenting with online, interactive simulations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns | Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Fractals and the Chaos Game
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Description: This lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., is designed to show students how the Sierpinski triangle can arise from seemingly totally unrelated sources. This gives the students an appreciation of the interconnections of different kinds of mathematics.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Probability
Title: Conditional Probability and Probability of Simultaneous Events
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Description: This lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., is based on several interesting problems. Each problem has a somewhat unexpected answer; in fact, many people have a hard time accepting experimental results for these problems, as the results may seem counterintuitive. This very difference in expectations and actual results leads to a deeper consideration of the related mathematics and to acquiring new tools for solving problems, namely the ideas and formulas connected with conditional probability and probability of simultaneous events.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Graphing and the Coordinate Plane
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Description: This lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., is designed to introduce students to graphing ordered pairs of numbers on the coordinate plane.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Adopt a Lot
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn the basics of conducting a field study. They learn how to develop innovative plans to improve the quality of a community and make recommendations for improvements to their local area.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Introduction to Functions
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Description: This lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., is designed to introduce students to the idea of functions and their representations as rules and data tables, including the mathematical notions of independent and dependent variables.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Geometric Fractals
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Description: This activity, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., shows students classic fractals--the Sierpinski Triangle and Carpet--involving iterating with a plane figure. Students will practice their fraction, pattern recognition, perimeter, and area skills.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Astronomy | Science - Meteorology | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Sun's Impact on Earth's Temperature
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Description: In this unit of instruction, from the Burns Telecommunications Center at Montana State University, middle school students view NASA images and movies of Venus, Earth, and Mars to deduce weather patterns and manipulate computer models to test competing hypotheses.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Tessellations: Geometry and Symmetry
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Description: This lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., allows students to examine tessellations and their geometric properties. The activity and discussions found here may be used to develop students' understanding of polygons and symmetry as well as their ability to analyze patterns and explore the role of mathematics in nature and our culture.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Geometry in Tessellations
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Description: This lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., allows students to examine tessellations and their geometric properties. The activity and discussion found here may be used to develop students' understanding of lines, planes, angles, and polygons.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Visual Patterns in Tessellations
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Description: This lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., allows students to examine the mathematical nature of art, tilings, and tessellations. This activity and discussions may be used to develop students' understanding of polygons and symmetry as well as their ability to analyze patterns and explore the role of mathematics in nature and our culture.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Human Migration Within and Into the United States
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students analyze 1980 and 1990 demographic data from the U.S. They determine net migration for the southern, northeastern, western, and midwestern regions of the United States and analyze the impact of migration shifts in these regions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: International Trade in a Global Village
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students research the spread of AIDS and report on how this problem has been affected by changes in global transportation and trade. They create multimedia presentations highlighting their findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Antarctica: A Cold Desert Ecosystem
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students construct a rough map of Antarctic ecosystems and explore relationships among the creatures that populate them. This lesson can be adapted to focus on other regions, including the one in which you live.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Oh, Give Me a Home
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson explores ways in which the environment influences the design and construction of homes around the world. Students explore how the physical environment, including weather and climate, influences building styles and the availability of building materials.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: One If By Land, and Two If By Sea!
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces students to various places associated with the American Revolutionary War. Students use historical and current maps of the Boston area to trace Paul Revere's route and learn about the region and the conflict.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Over the River and Through the Woods: Traveling by Memory
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces the concept of mental maps and their development. Students transfer geographic images to a sketch map, which provides visual reinforcement and a means of discussion and assessment.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: Planning a New Town
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students make decisions about buildings, businesses, services, and housing areas to include in the development of a new town. After discussing essential elements of a self-sustaining community, the students prepare a map and give oral presentations on different aspects of the new town.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Population Pyramids and Us
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn how a geographer uses a population pyramid to interpret the dynamics of a population. They become able to describe population structures using population pyramids.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Rain: Friend or Foe?
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students use their knowledge of rainfall, vegetation, and the slope angles of hillsides to make decisions, predict outcomes, and analyze the effects of certain events or practices (e.g., overgrazing, forest fires, and clear-cutting woodlands). This lesson helps students appreciate the complex relationships between various physical processes and the physical features they modify.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Rich, Poor, or Somewhere in the Middle
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson offers students an opportunity to use economic and social indicators to identify the connection between a country's access to resources and its economic development. They learn how development is measured and examine basic statistical figures related to standard of living.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: School Space: An Analysis of Map Perceptions
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students analyze sketch maps produced by different people on the basis of their mental maps. Students then draw inferences about the factors (e.g., culture, age, sex, occupation, experience) that influence perceptions of places.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Spatial Organization: Identification of Functional Regions
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson places the student in the role of geographer--thinking geographically and using geographic skills. During this lesson, students connect data and visual representations to see how the links that sustain a region can be visually represented by maps of flow lines or overlapping "cobwebs."
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Astronomy | Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Space Sciences
Title: The Expanding Universe
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Description: This unit, from the Burns Telecommunications Center at the University of Montana, is designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of cosmology. Students develop authentic models and gather evidence supporting the Big Bang theory. The activities use observation, interactive media, and scientific models.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Splish, Splash: Water's Journey to My Glass
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson explores the hydrologic cycle and water's journey to our glass. Students come to understand the components of Earth's hydrosphere, especially the surface and subsurface features, and prepare a diagram to illustrate the path of drinking water from the place of precipitation to the tap.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: The Evolution of Cultural Landscape
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson focuses on sequential occupancy of a single habitat. Students learn to appreciate how cultural change causes people's perceptions of places and regions to change.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Geography of Pizza
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students analyze Earth's surface according to the spatial elements of points, lines, and areas, and use a simple map to identify features in terms of spatial elements. This lesson uses a pizza restaurant to introduce these components to students, e.g., the location of a restaurant (point), roads and sidewalks (lines), and the city blocks or the region served by a restaurant (area).
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Great Plains: A Harsh Welcome to Settlers
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students consider the experiences of settlers on the American Great Plains in the late 1800s. They explore the ways in which humans use technology to overcome obstacles in the physical environment.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Biomagnification in the Great Lakes Ecosystems
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson focuses on biomagnification as it relates to the ecosystems of the Great Lakes region in the mid-western United States. As they work through the lesson, students diagram a food chain and label maps to show progress on environmental issues.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Impact of Natural Hazards Around the World
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson focuses on how humans can use technology to adapt to phenomena such as fires, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, and volcanoes. It helps students understand that the negative consequences of natural hazards can be reduced if we understand our vulnerability and learn to prepare for them.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Shape of Things to Come
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the shapes of countries around the world. Encouraging students to attend to the shapes of countries helps them to interpret the elements of conflict and cooperation in historical and current events, to increase the sophistication of their mental maps, and to weigh the significance of a country's relative location.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: There's No Place Like Home
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson uses children's literature and maps to explore reasons for past and present settlement. Students give various reasons people in the past or present have chosen to settle and live in different regions of the United States. They also complete a map that traces a migration route of a pioneer family by using information from children's literature or from historical records.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Top Ten Cities
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students identify and study the most populous cities in their state, province, or country. They also learn about population distributions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Using Maps to See Regions
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students travel around the world on a visual scavenger hunt. They select a handful of important natural and cultural characteristics of places. They then search through magazines such as National Geographic for photographs that illustrate the range of those characteristics. They also chart the locations they find on a map of the world.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Botany | Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Using Venn Diagrams to Compare Two Ecosystems
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson helps students identify and describe differences between two related ecosystems. Many students believe that the Earth's only rain forests are found in the tropics. On the contrary, temperate rain forests can be found along the coast of North America's Pacific Northwest. These stands are as endangered as and much smaller than their tropical cousins. By acquiring geographic information from a number of sources, and by using that information to complete a Venn diagram, students come to understand the distribution of temperate and tropical rain forests and the unique characteristics of both.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Time Keepers
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Description: This Franklin Institute resource is devoted to activities and information about clocks and time. The Frick Clock, Josephine Clock, Seth Thomas Calendar Clock, and Sychronome Clock are highlighted. There are also links to a collaborative project, student activities, and teaching resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Science - Astronomy | Science - Earth science | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Galactic Inquiry
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Description: In this lesson, from the Burns Telecommunications Center at Montana State University, students view NASA images of galaxies and develop a galaxy classification scheme. Students them compare and contrast their classification scheme with that developed by Edwin Hubble.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Games on Graphs
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Description: This resource, from Los Alamos National Laboratory, features graphs and graphing. Graphs are mathematical objects that are made of dots connected by lines. Graph Theory is the branch of mathematics that involves the study of graphs. This resource features information, vocabulary, activities, and further resources--all related to graphs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Science - Physics
Title: How Fast Do Objects Accelerate To Earth?
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Description: In this activity, from the Aeronautics Internet Textbook, students will explore how fast objects fall to the earth using pennies, empty plastic container, and a window two to three stories above ground. This page contains step-by-step instructions for performing the experiment, as well as links to a summary of the activity and to assessment information.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: How Many Pearls?
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Description: In this PBS interactive activity, students estimate the number of pearls in a treasure chest. They learn to use two different methods of estimation--one using weight and one using volume.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Astronomy | Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Space Sciences
Title: It's AWESOME!
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Description: This DiscoverySchool.com resource features a presentation on the universe. Concepts such as the origin and age of the universe, light years, the speed of light, and more are covered.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Astronomy | Science - Earth science | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Light Years
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Description: This resource, from DiscoverSchool.com, explores the concept of light years. Various comparisons are made to help students understand the vastness of space and the usefulness of the light year to measure distance in space. There is also a section in which students can click on images of features such as Sirius, the Orion Nebula, and more to view images and find out how far back in time we're looking when we view them.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Most Colorful Math of All
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Description: This activity, from Los Alamos National Lab, focuses on the question of how many colors are needed to color in a map. With a few crayons or markers and some hand-drawn maps, children can quickly find themselves grappling with some of the same conundrums that contemporary mathematicians do. Images, background information, key concepts, and more are provided.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Astronomy | Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Investigating the Dynamic Martian Polar Caps
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Description: In this lesson, from the Burns Telecommunications Center at Montana State University, students download NASA Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images of the Martian polar ice caps in summer and winter. Using image processing techniques, students measure and compare various images of the changing Martian and Earth polar ice caps.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Science - Physics
Title: Momentum and Its Conservation
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Description: This resource, from Northfield Township School District #225, features two modules that explore the Impulse-Momentum Change Theorem and the Law of Momentum Conservation. Each module includes background information and a series of self-test questions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Mungry Math
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Description: This resource, from the Franklin Institute, features ideas for using Shel Silverstein's poem "Hungry Mungry" to teach math. Suggestions include tallying and graphing the amount of food eaten by Hungry Mungry.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Functions
Title: Graphs
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Description: This Math Forum resource provides information about how to make various graphs using ClarisWorks. Instructions for producing bar graphs, pie charts, pictograms, and other graphs for linear, polynomial, and exponential functions are included.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: All
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Science - Oceanography
Title: Exploring the Ocean Basins with Satellite Altimeter Data
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Description: This resource, from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, features satellite altimetry and its uses. Specific applications of satellite altimetry that are discussed include navigation, panning shipboard surveys, petroleum exploration, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns | Science - Chemistry | Science - Geology
Title: Crystals
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Description: This Math Forum resource features a collection of resources related to crystals and crystallography. There are links to other Math Forum pages with information about crystallography and crystal systems and printable paper crystal models, as well as to a handful of outside resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Mathline: Design and Math
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Description: In this set of activities, from PBS, students investigate how math plays an important role in artistic and creative endeavors such as industrial, graphics, and fashion design. Activity 1 focuses on industrial design, Activity 2 on graphics design, and Activity 3 on fashion design.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: The Four Types of Symmetry in the Plane
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Description: This resource, from the Math Forum, features information about different types of planar symmetry. Diagrams and examples help to clarify the information.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Fractals
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Description: This Math Forum resource focuses on fractals. There is brief background information followed by links to further information about fractals in general and the Sierpinski triangle, Koch edge, Peano curve, Lorenz attractor, and Dragon curve in particular.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Computers in Art / Computer Art | Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: The Geometer's Sketchpad and Tessellations
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Description: This Math Forum resource features a tutorial for making tessellations using the Geometer's Sketchpad. It includes step-by-step instructions for using the program along with links to other tutorials and examples of student tessellations.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Understanding Factoring through Geometry
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Description: In this Math Forum lesson, students learn about area. Several activities are used to reinforce the concept of area and units of area.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Olympic Counting
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Description: This Franklin Institute resource features a collection of counting activities. The activities, geared at the K-3 level, feature questions such as "How many tails on a dog?" or "What is the number of Billy Goats Gruff PLUS the troll?"
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Magic Squares
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Description: This resource, from Math Forum, includes classroom activities for four different magic squares: Lo Shu, Sator, D3rer, and Frankli. Three of them demonstrating increasing complexity using numbers, and one made up of letters, with number and symmetry questions and links and suggestions for history / geography / writing activities for teachers interested in interdisciplinary work. This resource includes directions for building magic squares, definitions, discussion of some special properties of magic squares, a Java applet, and links to other magic square Web sites.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Patterns | Science - Astronomy | Science - Earth science
Title: Every Picture Tells a Story 5-8
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Description: In this activity, from the Burns Telecommunication Center, Montana State University, students discover that what you see isn't necessarily what you get. These activities are designed to create a sense of disequilibrium in the visual perception of students to make them aware of different ways to view a picture. The students will view the images, decide what they see in each, record their ideas, and write a story based upon these findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Number Sense | Vocational Education - Business
Title: Mathline: Math at the Mall
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Description: This resource, from PBS TeacherSource, features a math lesson related to shopping malls. Shopping areas are places where students can engage in a wide variety of mathematics. This resource includes mathematics activities that students can consider when they are at the mall.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Architecture | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Mathline: Building Materials
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Description: This resource, from PBS TeacherSource, features a math activity involving building construction and determining how much building material is needed. Calculating the amounts of the various materials involves using a lot of mathematics. In this activity, students will use two and three dimensional geometry skills as well as spatial relations skills to estimate the amount of materials needed for pouring a foundation and building a floor.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry | Science - Astronomy | Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Planet Paths
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Description: This resource, from the Burns Telecommunications Center, Montana State University, features an activity designed to help middle school students understand that planets travel in nearly circular orbits around the sun and that planetary motion obeys laws defined by Kepler and Newton. Students will explore interactive Web sites demonstrating orbital motion and complete a series of modeling activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Astronomy | Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Learning Planet Sizes
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Description: In this activity, learners use the concepts of greater than, less than, and equals to classify student height, object size, and planet size. They will build scale models of the planets based on their discoveries of planet size.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Play Ball!
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Description: This Franklin Institute resource features a short computer lab activity dealing with the mathematics of baseball. The activity involves charting the action of a baseball game (hits, at bats, etc) in a spreadsheet program and graphing the data.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Discrete Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Muticultural Math Fair
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Description: This resource, from Math Forum, features Frisbie Middle School's Multicultural Math Fair. Twenty-nine percent of Frisbie's student population is Limited English Proficient; Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, German, Indonesian, Korean, Philipino, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Samoan, Spanish, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and Urdu are represented. In 1993-94, Math Fair activities in English and Spanish included Navajo Burntwater Designs; Building A Pyramid; Sands Along the Nile; Anybody Know the Time?; Towers of Hanoi; Chinese Tangram Puzzles; Srinivasa's Spheres; Sonya's Symmetry; Using Kali; and Mayan Math. The Math Forum Web pages include sites from which to download software to use with the activities; student comments; photos of Frisbie students at the fair; and Math Fair and Interdisciplinary links.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Pythagorean Puzzle
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Description: This PBS interactive activity demonstrates the Pythagorean Theorem. By manipulating an interactive diagram, students are able to see why the Pythagorean Theorem works.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Shapes, Lines, Angles & Quilts
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Description: This resource, from the Franklin Institute, features directions for making a simple patchwork quilt with students. The quilt is designed to pass on welcome messages and tips from the "leaving" class to the new students who will arrive in that class after the summer break.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - World History
Title: The World of Child 6 Billion - Background
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Description: This resource, from the Population Reference Bureau, discusses issues related to worldwide population growth. Tables, graphs, discussion points, and more are provided herein.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: On Reflection
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Description: This Franklin Institute resource explores how symmetry can be used in codes. Certain letters and numbers have reflection symmetry, making them useful for encoding messages. Brief background information is followed by a coded message for users to decode.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Pyramid Building
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, provided by the Population Reference Bureau, is to provide students with the background to understand the importance of age structure on population growth. They do this by creating a population pyramid. This process will also help them understand the meaning of different shaped 'pyramids' and the impacts of these different growth patterns.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Geology | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Quest for Gold
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students discover the value of gold, which has been important to trading throughout time. Students use an interactive map and make trade decisions as they take on the role of a Roman trader following the Silk Road en route to China.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Architecture | Mathematics - Geometry | Science - Engineering | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Scaling the Pyramids
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Description: This PBS resource features information about the Great Pyramid of Egypt. Users can learn what is significant about the pyramid as well as view directions for how to build a scale model of it.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Studying Mandelbrot Fractals
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Description: This resource, from MathForum, explores the question "what is a fractal?" The site includes a definition and a Java applet used for exploring the Mandelbrot set, redrawing small areas to fill the fractal screen and noticing how the images compare. There are also links to other sites with fractal information for middle-schoolers.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Understanding Algebraic Factoring: Vocabulary, Objectives, Materials
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Description: This resource, from Math Forum Web, features a unit on algebraic factoring. The resource includes links to lesson plans, procedures, vocabulary, objectives, and a decription of materials.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Computers in Art / Computer Art | Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Investigating Tessellations Using Activity Pattern Blocks
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Description: This Math Forum site offers activities for making tessellations using pattern blocks including step-by-step instructions for classroom projects. The site has Java script applet which allows students to practice block designs on the computer. There is also sample block design artwork by students.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Human Populations Studies
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Description: In this activity from the Access Excellence Web site the age-related death rate of the human population will be studied. Information about the deaths of humans will be gathered in one of a variety of ways and organized into a life table. An analysis of this information will enable students to understand ages at which the human population is most vulnerable to death. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson, Demographics of Mortality.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Biology | Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Everest: Measure of a Mountain
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Description: From March 15 to June 1, 1999, a team of scientists, climbers, and Sherpas measured Mount Everest. Explore Mount Everest, meet the team and follow their adventure here at this National Geographic interactive feature.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Botany | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Arctic and Antarctic Circles
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Description: In this student activity from Xpeditions, students research the ends of the Earth--the Poles--to compare and contrast the regions. Background information is provided, giving insight into the nature of these two areas and outlining their differences and similarities.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns | Mathematics - Probability
Title: Exploring Data
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Description: This page contains math lessons on the Web that can be used with students in grades K-8. All of the lessons focus on statistics and analysis of data. There are also links to lessons for other ages. This page is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson titled "Sampling Rocks."
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Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Famous Problems in the History of Mathematics
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Description: Famous Problems in the History of Mathematics is a Math Forum resource which includes problems that are suitable for middle school and high school math students, with links to solutions, as well as links to mathematicians' biographies and other math history sites. This page is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson, Mathematical Proofs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Patterns | Mathematics - Trigonometry
Title: The Pythagorean Theorum
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Description: This page, part of the Math Forum Project, contains information on the Pythagorean theorum. The historical basis of the theorum is described and proof is given using diagrams and formulas. This page is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson, Mathematical Proofs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns | Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Basic Tables: 1990 Demographic Profile Generator
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Description: This activity from OSEDA (Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis) can be used by students to enter zip code, county code, or state code to get a table presenting comprehensive census data from 1990. Then they can use the data to make graphs or charts to compare demographic information from different areas of the country. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson, The Demographics of Mortality.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Solving Fermat: Andrew Wiles
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Description: Andrew Wiles devoted much of his entire career to proving Fermat's Last Theorem, the world's most famous mathematical problem. In 1993, he made front-page headlines when he announced a proof of the problem, but this was not the end of the story. An error in his calculation jeopardized his life's work. On this page you can read NOVA's interview with Andrew Wiles. This page is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson, Mathematical Proofs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns | Mathematics - Trigonometry
Title: Math's Hidden Woman
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Description: This page, part of NOVA Online, tells the true story of Sophie Germain, an 18th-century woman who assumed a man's identity in order to pursue her passion -- attempting to prove Fermat's Last Theorem. This page is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson, Mathematical Proofs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Mathematics Lessons That Are Fun Fun Fun!
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Description: This site contains more than twenty fun mathematics lessons for all grade levels.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Fermat's Last Theorum Poetry Challenge
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Description: The proof of Fermat's last theorem was presented in August, 1995. Conference attendees were issued a poetry challenge asking for occasional verse to celebrate the proof. On this page you can find these "mathematical challenge poem-puzzles" and you can submit your own. This page is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson, Mathematical Proofs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Functions | Science - Engineering | Science - Physics | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Projects with Model Rockets
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Description: This page, part of the rocketry site created by Apogee Components, contains information about the positive impact of learning about rocketry. Hundreds of schools and thousands of teachers have found that rocketry and aerospace topics have many benefits, besides just teaching the physics of flight. On this page are links to further information for teachers.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Astronomy | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Navigation: Lost at Sea!
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Description: These classroom ideas from National Geographic are designed to be used with the Silver Bank on-line feature. Using the story of the sinking of the Spanish galleon Concepción as a starting point, students will explore navigation using latitude and longitude and determine their latitude using the North Star.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Round Earth, Flat Maps
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Description: Those lines and colors, so clear and confident on the map, reflect a host of difficult choices and compromises. Encounter the options available to cartographers and the tools that help them face the challenge of portraying a round Earth on flat maps in this National Geographic Millenium interactive feature.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Science - General Science
Title: Betcha Can
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Description: You can bet a friend that you can put your head through a hole in a 3-by-5-inch file card-and win! Find out how in this National Geographic WORLD Try This!.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Up, Up, and How Far Away?
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Description: In this PBS interactive activity, students estimate the distance between themselves and an airborne hot air balloon. Along the way they learn a method of estimating using their arm-length and thumb-width.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Alphabet | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Words to Value
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Description: This Franklin Institute resource features a collection of activities that involve substituting numbers for letters and adding together all kinds of letter combinations. The activities will help students with both number and letter skills. Activities appropriate for grades K-3 are provided.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Chemistry | Science - Earth science | Science - General Science | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Science NetLinks
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Description: The American Association for the Advancement of Science's Science NetLinks strives to be a comprehensive "homepage" for K-12 science educators. At the heart of Science NetLinks are standards-based lesson plans that incorporate reviewed Internet resources, and can be selected according to specific benchmarks and grade ranges. Each lesson is tied to at least one learning goal and uses research-based instructional strategies that support student learning. The lessons are written for the teacher, but include student-ready materials such as student sheets (student reproducibles) or E-Sheets (online worksheets that enable students to engage directly in Internet activities). Science NetLinks is a member of the MarcoPolo consortium.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Chemistry | Science - Earth science | Science - General Science | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Science NetLinks Weekly Science Updates
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Description: Science NetLinks Science Updates are short audio clips about a variety of subjects related to science. Each clip is accompanied by a transcript and classroom lesson ideas. Science NetLinks is a member of the MarcoPolo consortium.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject:
Title: Lasers Saving Sight
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to understand that problems are solved, or new technology discovered, by scientists using information from disciplines other than their own. Students come to appreciate the fact that discoveries today could not be made without the discoveries that came before.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Engineering | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Let It Roll!
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the first in a two part series on ramp building, students explore ramps, discuss why different ramps work better than others, and practice procedures for testing designs and recording results. These activities provide a good starting point for the follow up lesson, in which students attempt to design, build, and test their own ramps.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Engineering | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Ramp Builder
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students plan, build, and test a ramp that allows objects to roll far. They create the plans for their ramps by evaluating a variety of materials provided by the teacher.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Tools
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Description: The goal of this Science NetLinks lesson is to understand the impact tools (and machines) have on human society both historically and presently. The focus is on how tools make our lives easier.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Educational Technology - Audio-Visual Equipment | Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: The Geometry Center
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Description: The Geometry Center is a mathematics research and education center at the University of Minnesota. The Center has a unified mathematics computing environment supporting math and computer science research, mathematical visualization, software development, application development, video animation production, and K-16 math education.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Trigonometry
Title: Inverse Symbolic Calculator
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Description: The Inverse Symbolic Calculator does for decimal numbers what a dictionary does for words. However, the unlimited possibilities for expressing numbers provides a challenge beyond the wildest dreams of Noah Webster. In 1990, Jonathan and Peter Borwein published 'A Dictionary of Real Numbers' containing just over 100,000 entries. In this project for the Centre for Experimental and Constructive Mathematics at Simon Fraser University, Simon Plouffe has now expanded this concept to a computerized search engine. The Inverse Symbolic Calculator operates at four levels. The 'Simple Lookup' attempts to locate your number among the 75 million constants stored in tables. Thus, a phone number entered as a decimal will usually yield several formulas with values matching the seven digits of given number. The 'Smart Lookup' performs dozens of arithmetic operations on your number and searches the tables for these results. 'Generalized Expansions' rewrites your number in terms of various sequences and attempts to find a generating function for the sequence. And finally, the 'Integer Relation Algorithm' looks for a relation involving your number and a few key constants multiplied by integer coefficients. This site is an excellent starting point for links to Web pages about the history, mathematics, and record computations of constants from the familiar pi and e to such intriguing entries as the rabbit constant and the smallest known Salem constant.—
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Trigonometry | Philosophy - Logic
Title: MegaMath
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Description: MegaMath, provided by the Computer Research and Applications Group at Los Alamos National Laboratory, explores practical applications of math and math theory through a series of activities and guides. Most of the topics are at a high school level and include algorithms, spatial reasoning, graphs, infinity, knot theory, and machines. Each of these areas contains activities, vocabulary, background info, big ideas and key concepts, preparation and materials, evaluation, further study, and tie-ins with NCTM standards. MegaMath strives to explain difficult concepts through simple words and games.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Physical Education - Individual Sports | Physical Education - Team Sports
Title: Sports Illustrated
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Description: At the Sports Illustrated online site, students can gather data for a favorite player, sport or team. There are links to all major individual and team sports, news from the sports world and a scoreboard with updated events results. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson, What's in a Graph?
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Discrete Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Surfing the Net with Kids: Fun with Math
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Description: The Surfing the Net with Kids Web site provides a large collection of math resources for students and teachers of mathematics. The site offers links to games, educational tools, ratings of mathematics Web sites for kids, and much more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Number Sense | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: The Abacus: The Art of Calculating with Beads
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Description: The abacus is a mechanical aid used for counting. Addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication can be performed on a standard abacus. This site, offered by the Ryerson Polytechnic University Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, contains the history of and directions for using this unique tool.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Discrete Mathematics | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Probability
Title: The Discrete Mathematics Project
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Description: This site, from the University of Colorado at Boulder, provides activities and information on the use of discrete mathematics. Discrete mathematics covers subjects such as fair division, election theory, graph theory, counting techniques, matrix models, and mathematical iteration/recursion.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Number Theory
Title: The Prime Pages
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Description: This site, from the University of Tennessee at Martin, offers comprehensive information on prime numbers and factorization. Interested users can find prime number theories, data, definitions, curiosities, records, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Botany | Science - General Science
Title: Avocado Seeds
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the ways in which avocado trees propagate despite the large size of their seeds. Gary Bender, a farm advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension, describes the ways avocado seeds "get around." Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Agriculture | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology
Title: Delivery Bees
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how bees are helping to put plump, juicy strawberries on your grocer's shelf. Bees, especially the honeybee variety, have become man's secret weapon in biological control warfare. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Environmental Health | Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology
Title: Ozone Fill-Up
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about creative ideas for closing the hole in the ozone layer that was discovered over Antarctica in the 1980s. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Agriculture | Science - Ecology | Science - Geology
Title: Smart Rock
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a high-tech rock that may allow scientists to understand and eventually predict changes caused by floods. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Entomology
Title: Spider Web Sites
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, youll hear about the complex social structure of the colonial orb weaving spider. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Consumer Health | Health - Nutrition | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Blood Cholesterol
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about whether donating blood could actually be good for you. In the interview, Kirsten Alcorn, Medical Director of the Washington Hospital Center's transfusion service, discusses whether or not donating blood can help you get rid of cholesterol. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Engineering | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Wheelchairs
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about an organization that counts on some of the world's poorest countries to develop some of the most innovative new ideas in wheelchair design and manufacturing. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Fractions Software Reviews
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Description: Fractions. For some students, this is where the seeds of failure in math are sewn. For whatever reason, they have difficulty with the concept, or the mechanics, or both. We wondered, "could software help?" SuperKids' reviewers, in partnership with The Tech Museum of Innovation, compared two Math Software programs that focus on fractions.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Math Software Reviews
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Description: SuperKids' reviewers, in partnership with The Tech Museum of Innovation, looked at a range of new Math Software programs, covering basics through decimals, evaluating their content and design, as well as their kid appeal and ease of use. Click on the titles to see the complete reviews.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns | Philosophy - Logic
Title: Logical Art and the Art of Logic
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Description: This resource, from Guenter Albrecht-Buehler of Northwestern University, features a collection of information on pentominoes, the flat shapes formed by five unit squares, which all touch along an edge. This resource contains the history of pentominoes, the patterns they create, and how they relate to the artist Escher, logic, and mathematics. Also included at this site are images of intricate wood mosaics based on pentominoes, and a DOS program that assembles 6x10 pentomino solutions manually.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Music | Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Math and Music
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Description: Students will learn how math and music are related and how mathematical addition is applied to music. To help them understand this concept, the students will learn note values in music class at the same time the classroom teacher is working on addition. The students will add musical notes together to come up with real numbers as the answers.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 1 | 2 | 3
Subject: Arts - Architecture | Arts - Dance | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: EDSITEment
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Description: The National Endowment for the Humanities' EDSITEment Web site offers the best of the humanities on the Web. The site includes subject-based access to top humanities sites, EDSITEment lesson plans and at-home activities, and additional learning activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Drama | Arts - Filmmaking | Arts - Music | Arts - Visual Arts | Foreign Languages - Cultural Awareness | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - World History
Title: EDSITEment Websites
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Description: This page from EDSITEment provides links to top humanities sites on the Web. All sites linked to EDSITEment have been reviewed for content, design, and likely impact in the classroom. They cover a wide range of humanities subjects, from American history to literature, world history and culture, language, art, and archaeology, and have been judged by humanities specialists to be of high intellectual quality. EDSITEment is the product of a partnership forged among the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Council of the Great City Schools, WorldCom Foundation and the National Trust for the Humanities and is a member of the MarcoPolo consortium.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Presidential Inaugurations: I Do Solemnly Swear
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Description: In this unit of five lessons, from EDSITEment, students reflect on what the Presidential inauguration has become and what it has been in the past. They meet a host of memorable historical figures and uncover a sense of America's past through archival materials.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Listening Comprehension | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Dr. King's Dream
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Description: In this lesson from EDSITEment, students learn about the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Students listen to a brief biography, view photographs of the March on Washington, hear a portion of King's "I Have a Dream" speech, and discuss what King's words mean to them. Finally, they create picture books about their own dreams of freedom for Americans today.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Music | Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Music from Across America
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Description: In this unit of five lessons, from EDSITEment, students listen to a variety of popular, traditional and ethnic American music--from the evocative sounds of Native American drumming to the lively sounds of zydeco music from Louisiana. To develop their listening skills, students use worksheets to record their impressions about the music they hear. In addition to learning about musical instruments and the geographic and cultural context of music, students are encouraged to think about and express their personal responses to music.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Sodbusters!
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students examine photographs of sod houses, build a model sod house, and picture themselves living in a "soddie" to gain a firsthand perspective on the frontier period of American history. After completing the activities in this lesson, students will be able to identify where and when American settlers lived and describe how settlers used available materials to build sod houses. They will also be able to explain how sod houses helped settlers adapt to the environment of the plains and compare living in a sod house with life in a typical home today.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Listening Comprehension | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States History
Title: I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Someone a Letter
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Description: This EDSITEment lesson introduces students to the correspondence of the famous, the infamous, and the ordinary, some of whom lived through extraordinary times. Teachers can use these fascinating letters as a starting point for discussion of and practice in the conventions and purposes of letter writing.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Discrete Mathematics Project Fair Division Activities
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Description: This resource, from the University of Colorado at Boulder, features the Discrete Mathematics Project. There are links to lessons and activities on fair division. The use of discrete mathematics has an essential part in the development of students' mathematical power in a society grounded in technology and communication. This site provides lessons to facilitate understanding fair division.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology
Title: Birds of Prey
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students research several birds of prey and examine predator/prey relationships. The suggested reading and research questions should help students' understanding of these topics move forward, and may lead into a discussion of food chains and webs as well.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology
Title: Burrowing Owls
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson gives students an example of how human activities impacted a specific community of Burrowing Owls. This lesson uses the example of the Burrowing Owl to illustrate how human activities can control the fate of a species. In addition to exploring the negative impact community development has had on the owl's habitat, students read about proactive steps people are taking to reverse this destruction. In particular, they will read about a small group of concerned citizens at Mission College in Santa Clara, CA, who get involved and create a plan of action to protect the Burrowing Owls on campus.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Hot and Cold Colors
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Description: The primary purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to engage students in an activity that allows them to observe that hotter conditions can speed up changes in materials. Students predict whether food coloring disperses more quickly in hot, cold, or room temperature water, then carry out a short activity to explore their predictions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: What's in a Graph?
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to help students understand data tables and graphs. They explore the guidelines for making tables and graphs and learn how to interpret graphs and determine which graph is best suited for the data.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology
Title: Owls: Top of a Food Chain
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson serves as proof that owls eat rodents and use this energy to survive. Owls excrete the parts of the rodent that they are unable to digest, leading students to infer that they are recycled in the soil. Using commercial owl pellets, students can try to identify the type of rodent eaten by the owl. Students are capable of creating a food chain based on prior knowledge: Owl-vole-grain or seeds-sun.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Engineering | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: It's a Crash Test, Dummy
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson investigates automobile air bags. It begins with an Internet exploration of how air bags in cars were developed and examines some of the safety issues surrounding air bags. Students then do a chemistry lab in which they mix baking soda and vinegar in a Ziploc® bag to recreate an air bag. Then students perform a crash test with a raw egg.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Physics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics
Title: Energy: The U.S. in Crisis?
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students study and assess past, present, and future decisions related to energy shortages. They gain an understanding of the different trade-offs that are made at many levels, from personal to national, as people grapple with tough issues. This lesson focuses on how decisions are made on many levels and how those decisions involve trade-offs of economic costs and social values.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Embryology | Science - General Science
Title: Extracting DNA
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Description: This purpose of lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to develop understanding of DNA by modeling the process of DNA extraction. The lesson introduces DNA, genes, chromosomes, and the chemicals that make up DNA. Students perform an experiment in which they separate out DNA from peas.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Paleontology
Title: Uncovering the Facts
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the second in a two-part series on fossils, explores what information can be discerned by comparing fossils to living organisms. This lesson allows students to go through an "interview" with the remains of a Protoceratops. In preparation for the interview, students first brainstorm the questions for which they would like answers and then narrow their questions to those that can really be answered by studying the Protoceratops fossils.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Natural History | Science - Paleontology
Title: Fossils and Dinosaurs
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the first of a two-part series on fossils, focuses on what we have learned and can learn from fossils. In the first part of the lesson, students discuss what we know about horses. They then do the same for a Stegosaurus. As students discuss the Stegosaurus, they realize that fossils tell a story about the animal. Once students have an understanding of how to extrapolate facts and ideas from fossils, they do some of their own digging in the second part of this lesson to practice using the thinking skills they've obtained.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Nutrition | Science - Biology | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Psychology
Title: Got Broccoli?
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson, one of a three-part series on nutrition, is to understand why the body needs food, and how it takes necessary nutrients as food passes through the digestive system. In the lesson, students are asked to look critically at the advertising claims of foods they eat, recognizing those that ascribe unrealistic, emotional, or psychological benefits to foods, rather than nutritional benefits. Students then create an original advertising campaign for a "forgotten" vegetable, presenting compelling, factual information about the nutrients found in these foods and the benefits derived from them.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense | Science - Botany
Title: It Counts
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson is designed to help students understand and reinforce how numbers are assigned to objects, as well as encourage them to think about more, less, or equal values. In the lesson, students are asked to describe, compare, and classify plants. Students should be able to use numbers concretely and descriptively to count as they make specific observations about plants.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Physics
Title: Just Turn It Off
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson is designed to begin to enable students to construct understanding of the consumption of energy by themselves as consumers. In this lesson, students probe the problem of what happens to a battery-operated flashlight when it is not turned off. Students extend this context to household items like lights, radios, televisions, and computers.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Natural History
Title: Introduction to Natural Selection
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to develop an understanding of natural selection, specifically, how it unfolds from generation to generation. It is an introduction to natural selection and is suited to any student who is just beginning his or her discovery of evolution.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Agriculture | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Botany
Title: Plant Parents
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the first in a two-part series on reproduction in plants, covers how most plants normally reproduce--sexually. In this lesson, students learn the parts of the flower and the process of sexual reproduction in plants.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Agriculture | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Botany
Title: Plant Propagation
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the second in a two-part series on plants, students do a project in which they choose a plant and try to propagate it. The project takes about 6 to 8 weeks to complete. During this time, students research propagation, attempt to propagate a plant, keep a journal, and write a summary when the project is finished.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Ready, Set, Let's Dough! It's a Matter of System
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students look at a complex system when they create their own play dough by taking several parts and creating a whole. Through their constructions, students gain an understanding that individual parts are used to make a whole.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Physics
Title: Renewable Energy Sources
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students use Internet resources to investigate renewable sources of energy. They should already have a basic understanding of energy, and know several examples of renewable and nonrenewable sources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Engineering | Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Physics | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Rocket Launch
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore design considerations of model rockets. They consider how model rockets are similar to real rockets (in design and flight), as well as how they are different due to the constraints placed upon them such as size and intended user.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: First Class First? Using Data to Explore the Tragedy of the Titanic
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students analyze and interpret data related to the crew and passengers of the Titanic. They draw conclusions to better understand the people who were lost or saved as a result of the disaster, and whether or not social status affected the outcome.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Nutrition | Science - Biology
Title: Food and the Digestive System
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the first of a three part series on nutrition, focuses on what nutrients are needed to do particular tasks for the body. More specifically, where the nutrients come from, their different forms, and then their importance for particular tasks in the body. Some of the lesson focuses on the overall digestive system in order to address the fact that undigested food is eliminated.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Temperature Changes Everything
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Description: The primary purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to introduce students to the concept that temperature causes molecules and atoms to move faster and farther apart, which in turn causes the change from solid to liquid, and liquid to gas. Students need to come to this lesson with the knowledge that some solids turn into liquids when heated. They also need to understand the observable differences between a solid and a liquid.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Engineering
Title: The Bicycle as a System
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson gives students an opportunity to examine the nature of systems in the context of an object with which they are very familiar--the bicycle. Students identify the properties of the various subsystems of a bicycle and examine how they relate to the whole.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Botany | Science - Embryology
Title: A Mendel Seminar
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, constructed around Gregor Mendel's 1865 paper, is an advanced lesson in history, scientific inquiry, methodology, classical genetics, and plant biology. In this lesson, students are guided through a thorough discussion of part of the paper Mendel wrote about his pea plant experiments.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Isotopes of Pennies
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the first in a three-lesson series about isotopes, radioactive decay, and the nucleus, helps students build their understanding of the properties of matter. Specifically, it helps them understand that average atomic mass is not a simple average, but is weighted according to percent abundance. Before working on this lesson, students should be familiar with the periodic table and should have had some basic instruction in the following concepts: isotopes, mass number, and atomic number.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Radioactive Decay: A Sweet Simulation of Half-Life
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the second lesson in a three-part series about isotopes, radioactive decay, and the nucleus, students are asked to simulate radioactive decay by pouring small candies and counting which candies fall with their manufacturer's mark down or up. The exercise they go through of predicting and successively counting the number of remaining "mark-side up" candies should help them understand that rates of decay of unstable nuclei can be measured, that the exact time that a certain nucleus will decay cannot be predicted, and that it takes a very large number of nuclei to find the rate of decay.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Glowing Wounds
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a Civil War legend of soldiers' glowing war wounds that may actually be based in fact. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Professional Development - Instructional Issues | Mathematics - Algebra
Title: Math Resources by Subject- Algebra
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Description: This mathematics resource page has some of the best Internet resources for Algebra. Links on this page take you to classroom materials, Internet projects, software, and public forums. This resource is referenced within the Math Forum Web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Professional Development - Instructional Issues | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Math Resources by Subject- Geometry
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Description: This mathematics resource page has some of the best Internet resources for geometry. Links on this page take you to classroom materials, Internet projects, software, and public forums. This resource is referenced within the Math Forum Web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Professional Development - Instructional Issues | Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Math Resources by Subject- Arithmetic
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Description: This mathematics resource page has some of the best Internet resources for Arithmetic. Links on this page take you to classroom materials, Internet projects, software, and public forums. This resource is referenced within the Math Forum Web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Professional Development - Instructional Issues | Mathematics - Calculus
Title: Math Resources by Subject- Pre-Calculus
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Description: This mathematics resource page has some of the best Internet resources for pre-calculus. Links on this page take you to classroom materials, Internet projects, software, and public forums. This resource is referenced within the Math Forum Web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Professional Development - Instructional Issues | Mathematics - Calculus
Title: Math Resources by Subject- Calculus
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Description: This mathematics resource page has some of the best Internet resources for Calculus. Links on this page take you to classroom materials, Internet projects, software, and public forums. This resource is referenced within the Math Forum Web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Professional Development - Instructional Issues | Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Math Resources by Subject- Probability/Statistics
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Description: This mathematics resource page has some of the best Internet resources for probability and statistics. Links on this page take you to classroom materials, Internet projects, software, and public forums. This resource is referenced within the Math Forum Web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Professional Development - Instructional Issues | Mathematics - Discrete Mathematics
Title: Math Resources by Subject - Discrete Math
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Description: This mathematics resource page has some of the best Internet resources for discrete mathematics. Links on this page take you to classroom materials, Internet projects, software, and public forums. This resource is referenced within the Math Forum web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Algebra and Calculus via Sketchpad
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Description: The Geometer's Sketchpad encourages a process of discovery in which students first visualize and analyze a problem, then make conjectures before attempting a proof. This interactive resource is referenced on the Math Forum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: The Coordinate Plane
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Description: In this unit, Introducing the Coordinate Plane for elementary and middle school students, students learn to find points on a number line and graph points in the coordinate plane. This resource is referenced on the Math Forum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Lines and Slope
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Description: This mathematics unit teaches middle and early high school students about lines and slope. Students will graph lines and learn to visualize slope. This resource is referenced on the Math Forum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Exploring Data
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Description: This collection has numerous resources for data exploration. This page has links to standards, data sets, lessons, and more web sites for the K-12 classroom. This page is part of the Math Forum collection.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Designs with Circles
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Description: In this mathematical activity by Suzanne Alejandra, students create designs with circles that make a piece of art with an Islamic theme. This activity is part of the Math Forum collection.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Geoboards in the Classroom
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Description: This unit deals with the length and area of two-dimensional geometric figures using the geoboard as a pedagogical device. This resource is found on the Math Forum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Geometry Through Art
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Description: In this unit, math is explored through geometric drawing activities. These Web pages provide useful activities and ready-made worksheets that introduce introductory and developmental geometric learning blocks. This resource is featured on the Math Forum web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Introduction to Vectors
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Description: This resource helps students in their first encounter with vectors through sketches, pictures, and other supplementary materials. The activities use the "Geometer's Sketchpad" program. This resource is found on the Math Forum web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Perspective Drawing, Moebius Strip, Polyhedra, and Spreadsheets
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Description: This Math Forum resource contains application ideas for using mathematics together with perspective drawings, moebius strips, polyhedra, and spreadsheets. Included are resources, ideas and lesson plans.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Polyhedra in the Classroom
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Description: In this computer-driven mathematics unit, students are introduced to polyhedra. Students create paper nets to print out and fold, explore kaleidotile, buckyballs, crystals and more. This unit is part of the Math Forum site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Data Collecting in the Classroom
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Description: In this unit, students collect data from class members as an in-class activity. Classmates conduct a survey and, using the results, the class finds the mean, median and mode, constructs histograms and produces graphs. This unit is part of the Math Forum, an online math education community center.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Algebraic Problem-Solving using Spreadsheets
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Description: In this unit on spreadsheets, students are given multiple word problems and use a spreadsheet as a tool to help them solve the problems. The students use the spreadsheet function 'fill' to help them find the correct solution. This unit is part of the Math Forum, an online math education community center.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 8 | 9 | 10
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues
Title: Skydome Review Unit
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Description: In this unit, students are given an online or printed current event publication. Students answer straightforward and applied mathematics questions based on the chosen article. In the process, students will review many different mathematical skills, work on a unit that connects with the "real world," and improve reading-for-content skills. This unit is part of the Math Forum, an online math education community center.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Three Days in the Lab: Sketchpad Construction Lab Sheets
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Description: In this unit, students take previously learned geometry skills and apply them in a cooperative learning activity in the computer lab. Students use the online application, Geometer's Sketchpad, as a tool to help them solve geometry questions. This unit is part of the Math Forum, an online math education community center.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Shape Tool
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, can be used to create various polygons and other geometric figures such as lines and segments. Shapes can be manipulated in a variety of ways, including stretching or shrinking, rotating, or creating a mirror image.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Calculus
Title: Linear Transformations Using Spreadsheets
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Description: A nice application of spreadsheets is to use them to investigate linear transformations. They take the drudgery out of matrix multiplication and allow instant graphing of both the original and the image. This unit investigates the effect of a variety of linear transformations on a unit square and a rectangle. Students record their observations in a table and conjecture relationships between characteristics of the transformation matrix and the shape, orientation and area of the image. This unit is part of the Math Forum, an online math education community center.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Show and Tell for Big Kids
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Description: Instead of requiring students to do an essay on a math topic, try this activity-based independent study. It gives students an overview of what computers can be used for in mathematics and allows them to venture into the online math environment. This unit is part of the Math Forum, an online math education community center.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Theory
Title: Puzzling Primes
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Description: To fully comprehend our number system, mathematicians need to understand the properties of the prime numbers. The information contained herein elucidates some of these properties, including the notion that there must, by definition, be an infinite number of prime numbers. This Web page presents a small portion of the history of mathematics through an investigation of some of the great problems that have inspired mathematicians throughout the ages. Included are links to solutions, as well as links to mathematicians' biographies and other math history sites. This resource is part of the Math Forum, an online math education community center.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Number Theory
Title: Famous Paradoxes
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Description: In the history of mathematical thought, several paradoxes have challenged the notion that mathematics is a self-consistent system of knowledge. Presented here are Zeno's Paradox and Cantor's Infinities. This Web page presents a small portion of the history of mathematics through an investigation of some of the great problems that have inspired mathematicians throughout the ages. Included are links to solutions, as well as links to mathematicians' biographies and other math history sites. This resource is part of the Math Forum, an online math education community center.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Calculus
Title: A Proof that e is Irrational
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Description: Contained herein is a proof that e is irrational. This web page presents a small portion of the history of mathematics through an investigation of some of the great problems that have inspired mathematicians throughout the ages. Included are links to solutions, as well as links to mathematicians' biographies and other math history sites. This resource is part of the Math Forum, an online math education community center.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Creating and Importing Data Files
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson provides a series of exercises that allows the student to create and import tabular data files using Excel, Notepad and ArcView. Several tabular data conventions are reviewed, which will aid the user in selecting the best method to meet their goals. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Digital Elevation Models Merge Tutorial
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson is an instruction set that walks users through the process of merging digital elevation data from multiple grids into a single grid. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Displaying GPS Data in ArcView
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson gives instructions for using the Projector Utility Wizard that comes as an extension in ArcView 3.2, to import GPS data points into a project. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Don't Be Afraid of the TIGER!
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson plan is for use in gaining assistance in downloading TIGER (Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing) data files. The lesson includes visual prompts as well as written instructions to download data. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Finding Solar Sites with Spatial Analyst
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson provides exercises that demonstrate the basic functions of Spatial Analyst and ModelBuilder. Students determine solar building sites using Map Query, Map Algebra, and then ModelBuilder. One exercise starts from survey points from which students create a surface, the other starts from standard DEM files. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: From Field Trips to Hot Links
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson shows how to create hotlinks (hyperlinks between map locations and photographs, text, or other documents). It also shows how to create a new map layer from a list of locations (x,y coordinates, such as from a GPS). Students will capture photos using a digital camera or a standard film camera. Then the students will process the pictures and match each photograph with its correct location and field observations. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Joining Data Tables
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson joins an external data table to an existing shape file, using common identifiers. The lesson walks through the process using Washington, DC TIGER95 data, but it can work at all scales. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Making and Mapping a Simple Table
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson provides an instruction set for creating a simple table with a dozen entries using Cartesian coordinates (e.g. "2,2"), and each coordinate pair having a small set of mappable features. The user learns to make the table using a simple word processor, then map the table using ArcView or ArcVoyager. This is excellent introduction for GPS users and GLOBE teachers. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Mapping a Parking Lot
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. In this lesson, students will collect data based on their experiences in measuring and mapping a parking lot. They will enter the spatial and attribute characteristics of these entities into ArcView. This lesson is a good way to start teaching students to make the connection between real world entities and how to represent these entities as point line, and polygon features with attributes on a map. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Mapping GLOBE Visualizations
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson illustrates how data visualizations from GLOBE Program web site (http://www.globe.gov) can be integrated with GIS software. The GLOBE Program's Web page includes an area called the visualization server, where you can generate maps of student data and/or reference data. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Mapping X,Y Coordinates
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson explains the process of creating a data table, converting X,Y data to a map theme, and creating hotlinks. It allows users to easily create tables of points, then import them into ArcView for display or analysis. A GIS, such as ArcView GIS, can convert X,Y coordinates in a database into features on a map. These features can be combined with other GIS data or they can be linked to images (photographs, sketches, or other maps) using ArcView's "hotlink" feature. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Using Network Analyst to Find the Best Route
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson provides exercises for Network Analyst and common ArcView skills by finding the best route for a courier. In the exercise, students geocode addresses representing the stops the courier must make. They then use Network Analyst to determine the best route, in terms of shortest distance and quickest drive time. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Ground Level Ozone Assessment with Milkweed
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson uses image analysis to map a leaf of common milkweed, particularly the damage patterns due to ground level ozone. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Biology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Plant Distribution - Slope and Aspect
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This project allows students to collect plant distribution data and correlate this distribution with abiotic factors. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Exploring Map Projections
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson introduces the concept of distortion in map projections. It compares distortion in shape, distance, and area for several common map projections. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: From AutoCAD to ArcView
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson provides a PowerPoint presentation on placing AutoCAD files on geographic coordinates. It also demonstrates use of other geographic themes to be used with the transformed AutoCAD drawing. Students can use the files in this project as an assignment to replicate the transformation of an AutoCad drawing to ArcView. However, local information obtained from the internet may have more relevance for students. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Normalizing Census Data in ArcView
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This document is a guide to the concept of normalizing with ArcView using census data for examples. It offers background on some key data concepts, possible pitfalls, and suggestions on normalizing data pairs. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: OrangeWorld
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson explores the properties of various map projections. Students draw world maps on an orange and then flatten the peel to illustrate how distortion is introduced. Learners then construct world maps using ArcView and compare various map projections. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Using Aerial Photos to Create Maps
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson walks through the process of digitizing features from a photo or satellite image to create land cover maps. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Using GPS/GIS Technologies to Map Potholes
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This project has students use GPS and GIS to describe the distribution of potholes in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Variables impacting the distribution of potholes are traffic volume, amount of stop and go traffic, road speed limit, and pavement age. Use of GPS/GIS technologies can help develop a pothole repair strategy leading to a reduction in repair costs. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Exploring Triangles
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Description: The activities found on the Crayola website provide teachers with step-by-step instructions for creating works of art with their students. In this particular activity students research information about the characteristics of various types of triangles and then draw and diagram each of the different types. Adaptations are provided at the end of the activity to help meet the individual needs of students.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: A Thousand Lockers
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Description: This resource from the Math Forum, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, provides a problem-solving activity and lesson plan. Students investigate the problem and try to discover patterns. They make a graph of their data and construct a data table. The activity provides suggestions for the use of both manipulatives and spreadsheets in solving the problem. Students gain experience in working with others,
communicating mathematics, and problem solving. Read the review on the Illuminations site, where you can access the resource directly.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns | Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: PBS TeacherSource Math
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Description: This site, reviewed for grades Pre-K-2 by Illuminations, has links to a variety of lessons, activities, projects, and other resources. The user selects a topic and a grade band in order to filter the links. Topics include: number sense, time, shapes, patterns, estimation, graphing, measurement. The activities range from small lessons to projects taking several class periods. Many of these activities are presented in a "world" context and conform to NCTM standards.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Grade Seven Problems
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Description: This resource is a collection of story problems whose solutions involve problem solving, reasoning, geometry, distance, and many more mathematics topics. Students are given the problem and the option of viewing hints. The hints are provided in order to help students get started, but do not offer any ideas about the answer. Students have the option of clicking on the answer before trying the problem on their own. Therefore, teachers might want to take problems from this Web site and let students work on them in groups or pairs so that they will have to work out the problem.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Fractal Tool
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, illustrates iteration graphically. Students can view preset iterations of various shapes and/or choose to create their own iterations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Patterns | Science - Meteorology
Title: Weather Plots
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Description: Using this lesson, which has been reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations, you can incorporate science (specifically weather) with reading graphs and problem solving. The activity actually uses an online posting of weekly plots of the temperature and humidity in Boulder, Colorado. While some of the later questions assume a higher level of mathematics than these students will have, the basic activities may be interesting to upper elementary students. The activity could serve as a very interesting way to involve students and help them to see mathematics in a real-world context.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Patterns | Science - Meteorology
Title: Weather Plots
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Description: Using this lesson, which has been reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, you can incorporate science (specifically weather) with reading graphs and problem solving. The activity actually uses an online posting of weekly plots of the temperature and humidity in Boulder, Colorado. While some of the later questions assume a higher level of mathematics than these students will have, the basic activities may be interesting to upper elementary students. The activity could serve as a very interesting way to involve students and help them to see mathematics in a real-world context.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Understanding Factoring Through Geometry
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Description: Factoring is often a tedious topic for students, but this lesson, reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations, attempts to give a visual view of factoring through the use of area. Students are given a certain number of square units and asked to find all possible rectangles that can be formed with that area. For example, an area of 6 produces four different rectangles (6x1, 1x6, 3x2, and 2x3) while an area of 5 would produce only two rectangles. In addition to promoting a conceptual understanding of factoring, the ideas of prime and composite can be very naturally introduced. Students may also discover (or review) the area formula for rectangles. Thus, this one little activity can be taken in many different directions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Paper Dot Plates
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Description: Reviewed for grades Pre-K-2 by Illuminations, this activity is easily emulated, making it a useful tool for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teachers. Students create their own number representations to use in a variety of contexts by using paper plates and sticky dot labels. Whether the class is using the plates to match, sequence or add numbers, students will connect the mathematical representation of numbers with their concrete self-made manipulatives. However, the lesson provides only limited examples of the actual activities used and does not provide the teacher with details of the lesson.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Number Stories
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Description: This resource from Math Cats, reviewed for grades PreK-2 by Illuminations, showcases number stories submitted by students. Users can view illustrated number stories submitted between November 2000 and June 2002 as well as access a collection of math and animal story problems. Read the full review on the Illuminations site, where you can access the resource directly.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Varnelle's Introduction to Fractions
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Description: This Web-based lesson gives young children an introduction to fractions by incorporating interactive and manipulative-based projects with paper/pencil practice, and online activities. The introduction is divided into several activities including:
" parts" -- students divide circles into equal portions.
" and Shade"--students divide different whole objects into basic fractional parts.
" to Whole" --students use fruit to illustrate that fractions are part of a whole.
" Fractions"--students learn to represent fractions numerically.
Each activity includes manipulatives, online activities, printable worksheets, and a literature resource. Helpful links and teacher-made resource ideas are available along with extension ideas.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Triangle Flashcards
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Description: This resource provides teachers with an activity that helps students make a fact family triangular card that has a number in each corner. Students will use the cards to reinforce the relationship of the three numbers and the addition/subtraction operations associated with the trio. This is a simple and cost effective idea that teachers may use to help children learn their fact families.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Trigonometry | Science - Biology | Science - Meteorology | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: PUMAS
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Description: PUMAS (poo' ú mas), reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations, is a site dedicated to providing challenging problems and lessons that are real-life issues. Providing examples written primarily by scientists and engineers, lessons focus mostly on answering difficult questions that are interesting and offer practical uses of math and science. While there is only a small sample of examples specifically designed for grades 3-5, some of the more advanced examples may provide an idea which can be adapted to younger grades.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Grade Eight Problems
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Description: This resource from the University of St. Xavier, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, features a selection of mathematics problems aimed at students in grade 8. Hints and answers are provided. Read the full review on the Illuminations site, where you can access the resource directly.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcVoyager Puzzle-Clark Louis' Bad Adventure
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This resource provides a puzzle that has users add data, from the ESRI Schools & Libraries CD, to follow Clark Louis from a rough starting location to some ultimate ending location. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: First Grade Number Stories
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Description: This resource from the Everyday Mathematics Center, reviewed for grades PreK-2 by Illuminations, features a collection of number stories written by first graders. There are 18 illustrated stories. Read the full review on the Illuminations site, where you can access the resource directly.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Find a Pattern with "One Grain of Rice"
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Description: In this lesson plan, from the Educator's Reference Desk, reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations, students use the problem solving strategy of "find a pattern" to predict the number of grains of rice Rani (from the book "One Grain of Rice" ) will receive after 30 days. Students use a table to assist with making predictions. Read the full review on the Illuminations site, where you can access this resource directly.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Theory
Title: Emergence of Chaos
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Description: This resource, reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, gives a brief overview of chaos (a technical area of study within mathematics related to fractals) and its relevance to population growth, then provides a more detailed explanation of how chaos works through graphs. The most interesting and useful part of the site is an applet that allows students to experiment with an iterative relationship. For some values, students will see a single stable point, but for other values the process does not converge to a single point, which is chaos.
This resource will be useful to teachers who want to allow their students to explore how changing the value of a variable in an equation can affect the graphical representation of that equation. The lesson is a bit advanced, but with teacher guidance it can be a worthwhile exploration.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Paleontology
Title: Hollywood Dinosaurs
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to use relevant evidence and logical reasoning to construct theories for dinosaur behavior. This lesson allows students to differentiate between fact, theory, and speculation as they relate to dinosaurs. Students also make their own theories using relevant evidence and examine evidence that challenges the prevailing theory that all dinosaurs were cold-blooded.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Arclessons: GIS Access-Demographic Study Using TIGER Files
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson walks the user through a demographic study in Los Angeles using TIGER Census data. This packet includes a Powerpoint presentation, two Word documents, and an HTML file. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Using Metadata To Set View Properties
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson provides step by step instruction for setting view properties to use ESRI decimal degree shapefiles with geo-referenced image files. Please Note: The 4 MB zip file unzips to include a 75 MB image, so be sure you have space available. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Georeference a JPEG to a Shapefile
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson teaches how to use the alignment tool in ArcView Image Analysis to align an image to an area, such as the Lewis & Clark National Forest (jpeg) to the towns in Montana. The zip file contains instructions in pdf format, a jpeg image, a shapefile, and data files. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Functions
Title: Stressed Out
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Description: This activity, provided by Cynthia Lanius at Rice University, can be used by teachers to introduce basic knowledge and skills important to a study of functions in algebra. Students evaluate a graph and are required to write a description of performance as stress increases, label and identify parts of the graph, and recognize how symmetry and performance are related with regard to the graph. In addition, students must write at least 5 questions about the function and make sure that some of the questions pertain to how slope and rate of change are related.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Polygon Playground
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Description: The polygon playground is an interactive activity that allows children to explore and create designs using multicolored triangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons, and octagons. This online manipulative allows students to create and print patterns or pictures using the geometric shapes. Teachers may also ask students to describe their work using mathematical and positional terminology. This activity, available on the MathCats site, includes activities created using the Microworlds plug-in, which may be downloaded for either Macintosh or Windows computers.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Engineering
Title: Polymers and People
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the first of two lessons in which students identify historical examples of how science and technology are interdependent, students briefly study the history of polymer science as a class. This example illustrates how advances in science depend on advances in technology and vice versa.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Science - Biology | Science - Ecology
Title: Traveling Dust
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear how microbes may be carried across the globe in clouds of dust. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physics
Title: A Matter of State
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to help students understand that particle movement changes as a substance changes from one phase to another. Before this lesson, students should have been introduced to the notion that matter may go through different phase changes. They should understand that temperature plays an important role in what state a particular type of matter is found. Students should be familiar with solids, liquids, and gases. They should also understand that heating and cooling a system can impact the phase of that matter.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - World History
Title: A Storybook Romance: Dante's Paolo and Francesca
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Description: This lesson from EDSITEment highlights one episode in the "Divine Comedy" to provide students with an introduction to Dante's great poem. After a brief introduction to the opening of the "Divine Comedy," which portrays Dante as a pilgrim guided by the poet Virgil on a journey through the Christian afterlife toward God, students read Canto 5 of the "Inferno," which comes near the beginning of Dante's descent into Hell. Students refer to a diagram of Dante's underworld to understand the role of Minos at the start of this canto, then analyze Dante's description of the storm-tossed souls he encounters in order to gain further insight into his allegorical method. Next, students identify the famous lovers who set the stage for Paolo and Francesca, and consider how they lend a literary dimension to our perception of this pair. Finally, students examine Francesca's "confession," comparing the philosophical style in which she first describes her love affair with the story-telling style she uses to describe what actually occurred. To conclude the lesson, students compare the effect that Lancelot's story had on Paolo and Francesca with the effect their story has on Dante in the poem, and the effect this layered episode has on Dante's readers today.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Adolescent Sleep
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to discuss, summarize, and express alternative positions regarding a study on adolescent sleep. In this lesson, students examine the arguments for and against changing the school start time for high school students based upon the findings of the scientific research study.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Geology | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Artifacts in Context
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the second in a two-part series on archaeology, students hypothesize how people lived during a certain time based on archaeological sites and artifacts. This lesson puts students in the role of archaeologist, using the mysterious city of Catalhoyuk to explore how artifacts can give us clues to how people once lived.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Human Relations | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Emancipation Proclamation: Freedom's First Steps
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Description: In this lesson from EDSITEment, students explore the obstacles and alternatives facing the nation at the time of the Emancipation Proclamation. They evaluate the provisions of the Emancipation Proclamation, trace the stages that led to Lincoln's formulation of this policy, explore the range of contemporary public opinion on the issue of emancipation, and document the multifaceted significance of the Emancipation Proclamation within the context of the Civil War era.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Baseball Stats
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students use baseball data available on the Internet to develop an understanding of different ways in which data can be analyzed. First, they practice selecting data to perform calculations in response to pre-formulated questions. Then they use the data to formulate and answer their own questions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology | Science - Ecology | Science - Natural History
Title: Bird Beaks
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore the relationship between a bird's beak and its ability to find food and survive in a given environment. Students learn about bird beaks through observation, both virtual and of local birds, and through a variety of games and activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - United States History
Title: Davy Crockett, Tall Tales, and History
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Description: In this unit of four lessons, from EDSITEment, students examine tall tale characters, such as Davy Crockett, and their relationship to history. By the end of this unit, students will be able to name tall tale characters and locations that are based on actual people and places, and describe how they are used in an exaggerated way; name created characters and events from tall tales; list some of the literary characteristics of tall tales; and write a tall tale.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Engineering
Title: Build a Better Pencil
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to engage students in planning, making, evaluating, and modifying designs, and to develop an understanding of constraints such as safety, time, cost, space, and availability of materials. At this level, students should be given many opportunities to design and make things using a variety of materials and simple tools. This investigation uses a pencil as a vehicle for introducing the idea of planning and evaluating designs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Earth science | Science - Engineering
Title: Buoyant Boats
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to design and construct a boat that takes into account factors such as buoyancy, the properties of materials, and design constraints. In this lesson, students design and construct a boat out of aluminum foil and a few other simple materials. The boats are then tested by floating them in a pool or sink and by adding mass until they sink. While students may not be able to articulate it, they intuitively begin to understand the scientific laws required for the design of the boat, including buoyancy and Archimedes Principle. They also explore shapes of boats and construction techniques that may work for the boats.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Disease | Health - Environmental Health | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Cancer Risks
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students describe environmental and hereditary factors that increase the chance of developing cancer. They read two articles that describe communities in the United States that have been affected by high rates of cancer, presumably caused by environmental factors. Students then read information about cancer written by scientists which describes hereditary factors that contribute to cancer development. Finally, students read a report by the National Center for Policy Analysis, which examines some misconceptions about cancer. At the end of this lesson, students should be able to distinguish that there are both environmental and hereditary factors, which influence a person's likelihood in developing cancer.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Carbon: Structure Matters
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to explore the molecular structure of matter and how it can affect the physical characteristics of a specific material.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - World History
Title: Chaucer's Wife of Bath
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Description: This lesson from EDSITEment introduces students to one of the most admired characterizations in Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," the "Wife of Bath." Students read Chaucer's description of the Wife in the "General Prologue" to consider how he represents her, both as the poet of "The Canterbury Tales" and as a character in his own poem, then read the "Wife of Bath's Prologue," where he has her speak for herself, to gain additional perspective on her character. Next, students investigate some of the literary sources that Chaucer drew upon as he created this portrait of a woman with her own ideas about matrimony, and examine evidence about marriage in the Middle Ages and the role that women played in medieval society. Finally, students read the "Wife of Bath's Tale" and explore the alternative readings of the tale in relation to the character of the Wife of Bath.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Photography | Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Childhood Through the Looking-Glass
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Description: This lesson from EDSITEment explores the vision of childhood created by Lewis Carroll in "Alice in Wonderland." Students begin by looking at Carroll's photographs of the real Alice for whom Carroll imagined his story and compare the image of childhood that he captured on film with images of children in our culture. Then students read "Alice in Wonderland" with special attention to the illustrations that Carroll made for his book, and explore the relationship between words and pictures by creating an Alice illustration of their own. Next, for contrast, students compare Carroll's vision of childhood with that presented by the Romantic poet William Blake in his illuminated "Songs of Innocence and Experience." Finally, students consider the interplay of image and text in their own favorite children's literature and how the vision of childhood presented there compares to their experiences as children. Several pieces of literature appropriate for use with this lesson are suggested.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - General Science
Title: Classification 1: Classification of Living Organisms
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the first in a two-part series on classification, students learn that many kinds of living things can be sorted into groups in many ways using various features, and that classification schemes vary with purpose. Students begin the lesson by sorting buttons, then move on to a more complicated sorting exercise using animal cards. Students sort the cards multiple times using a variety of criteria.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Chemistry
Title: Color Burst
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students gain experience in asking questions and conducting inquiries by exploring the separation of colors in water and other solvent. This lesson uses a technique called paper chromatography. This activity helps students gain experience in conducting simple investigations of their own while working in small groups.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: Common Visions, Common Voices
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Description: This lesson from EDSITEment focuses on themes and motifs found in the literature or the visual arts of several lands. In the lesson, students use the Internet to discover points of intercultural contact for themselves, crossing borders that can lead them to a broader perspective on the common vision human cultures share.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Engineering | Social Studies - Human Relations | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Communications Technologies
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to give students an understanding of communication technologies and an appreciation of the opportunities and problems that come with these technologies. In the lesson, students try out a few innovative examples of communications technology and learn how they transform patterns of sound or light into patterns of electricity.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - United States Government
Title: Congressional Committees and the Legislative Process
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Description: This lesson from EDSITEment introduces students to the pivotal role that Congressional committees play in the legislative process, focusing on how their own Congressional representatives influence legislation through their committee appointments. Students begin by reviewing the stages of the legislative process then learn how committees and subcommittees help determine the outcome of this process by deciding which bills the full Congress will consider and by shaping the legislation upon which votes are finally cast. With this background, students research the committee and subcommittee assignments of their Congressional representatives, then divide into small groups to prepare class reports on the jurisdictions of these different committees and their representatives' special responsibilities on each one. Finally, students consider why representation on these specific committees might be important to the people of their state or community, and examine how the committee system reflects some of the basic principles of American federalism.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physics
Title: Converting Energy
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to use the Internet to introduce students to energy through the idea of energy transformations and conversions and to develop students' ideas of what energy is and how it can be measured.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Coping with Changes
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to understand how the nervous system allows us to learn, remember, and cope with changes in the environment. The activities in this lesson introduce the nervous system, both in parts and as a whole. By learning about the whole system, students understand that the brain, spinal cord, and nerve cells are at the root of all other body functions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Journalism | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Cultural Change
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Description: In this lesson from EDSITEment, students examine some of the arguments used to win the vote for American women and explore the cultural dimension of these arguments as reflected in their characterization of men and women. In addition, students weigh the rhetorical impact these arguments had in their time by writing counter-arguments from several standpoints, and think critically about the relationship between political ideas and cultural attitudes.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Declare the Causes: The Declaration of Independence
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Description: In this unit of eight lessons, from EDSITEment, the propensity to complain is used to increase student awareness of the precedents behind the Declaration of Independence. After completing this unit, students will be able to describe and list the sections of the Declaration of Independence and explain the basic purpose of each. They will also be able to give an example of a document that served as a precedent for the Declaration, list and explain one or more of the colonists' complaints included in the Declaration, and demonstrate an awareness of the Declaration of Independence as a historical process developed in protest of unfair conditions.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Engineering | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Designing a Space Station
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students assess and evaluate a winning design plan that was submitted by students to NASA as part of the Space Settlement Design Contest.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Disappearing Water
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the first in a three-part series, students observe the amount of water in an open container over time, and they observe the amount of water in a closed container over time. Students compare and contrast the sets of observations over time. This lesson is designed to help the students prepare themselves for the idea that most substances may exist as a solid, liquid, or a gas depending on the temperature, pressure, and nature of that substance.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Science - Meteorology | Science - Oceanography
Title: El Nino
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to understand that El Nino is caused by changes in the atmospheric and ocean content. This lesson demonstrates how the atmosphere and oceans affect one another and how a small change in sea surface height can have a large impact on weather.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Engineering | Science - Physics | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Energy Sources and Use
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy, to investigate a variety of renewable energy resources, and compare the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Evaluating Eyewitness Reports
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, offers students experience in drawing historical meaning from eyewitness accounts that present a range of different perspectives. Students begin with a case study including alternative reports of a single event: the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Students compare two newspaper reports on the fire and two memoirs of the fire written many decades later, with an eye on how these accounts complement and compete with one another, and how these sources can be used to draw historical meaning from them. Students then apply the lessons learned in their investigation of the eyewitness accounts of the Chicago fire by considering a unique eyewitness account: the diary kept by a Confederate girl when her Tennessee town was occupied by Union troops during the Civil War.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Evaluating Mathematical Models
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to use the Internet to evaluate a variety of mathematical models. Students first investigate a biological population model then, in groups, research and report on other mathematical models.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Geology | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Exploring the Solar System
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to introduce students to Earth's moon and the eight other planets in our solar system. Students learn about the geology, composition and orbits of other planets by planning a trip to another planet.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physics
Title: Falling
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson introduces students to gravity as a force, focusing on the concept of falling. They discuss the role of "falling" in relation to everyday objects such as swings, see-saws, water fountains, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Human Relations | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Families in Bondage
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Description: This two-part lesson from EDSITEment draws on letters written by African Americans in slavery and by free blacks to loved ones still in bondage, singling out a few among the many slave experiences to offer students a glimpse into slavery and its effects on African American family life. In Part I, students examine the letters of Hannah Valentine, an enslaved woman who lived on a Virginia plantation. In Part II, students read letters from a fugitive slave to his still-enslaved wife and from a black Union soldier to his still-enslaved daughters, confronting directly the anguish of separation that was a constant factor in African American family life during slave times, when children and parents, husbands and wives, were routinely sold away from one another. Students explore the emotional terrain revealed in these letters by comparing the response to separation voiced by Valentine with that voiced by the Union soldier and the fugitive slave.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Discrete Mathematics
Title: Finding Satisfactory Solutions
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to explore the creative aspects of problem solving and practice creative problem solving strategies in the context of a story problem. In this activity, students decide where to locate ice cream stands in a town so that no one has to travel too far to buy a treat.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Foreign Languages - Cultural Awareness | Foreign Languages - Reading | Foreign Languages - Writing | Language Arts - Journalism
Title: French Connections
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Description: The goals of this EDSITEment lesson are to strengthen student perceptions of the real-world importance of mastering a foreign language, to give students at all levels practice in reading and writing French, to engage lower level students in using their knowledge of French to plan a tour of Paris, and to engage upper level students in using their knowledge of French to compare French and American journalism.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Debate | Science - Astronomy | Science - Physics
Title: Galileo and the Inevitability of Ideas
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students develop an understanding of the historical significance of Galileo's scientific achievements. They examine the values underlying historic choices by debating the merits of the earth-centered Ptolemaic System and the sun-centered Copernican System.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Agriculture | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: Global Breakfast
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to look for evidence of global interdependence in the foods that we eat. Students recognize the fact that many of the foods that they eat, and the ingredients that go into making them, are produced in other countries. They speculate about why certain foods are produced in different regions of the world, and what might happen if the production and/or distribution of these goods was to stop.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Nutrition | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Good Food, Good Health
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, one of a three-part series on nutrition, students use Internet resources to explore ways in which food provides energy and materials for their bodies. They research how food can affect their overall health.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Engineering | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Harnessing Solar Energy
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to discover the properties of light (radiant) energy from the sun by experimenting with solar collectors, cookers, and calculators. This investigation could be the beginning of a unit on the many forms of energy.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Hawthorne: Author and Narrator
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students come to recognize the difference between a narrator and an author, and explore the impact of an author's personal history on his or her creative life, particularly in the context of American society. The focus is on Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: If You Were a Pioneer on the Oregon Trail
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students compare imagined travel experiences of their own with the actual experiences of 19th-century pioneers. After creating, as a class, oral stories about contemporary cross-country journeys, students learn about the experiences of the emigrants who traveled on the Oregon Trail. They then create works of historical fiction in the form of picture books, drawing upon the information they have learned.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Photography | Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Images at War
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Description: The goals of this EDSITEment lesson are to examine American attitudes toward war as revealed in Civil War photographs and World War II homefront posters, to explore ways in which the experience of war has helped shape the American social and cultural identity, to gain experience interpreting archival images, and to organize a statement of findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Foreign Languages - Cultural Awareness | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Human Relations | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: In My Other Life
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Description: The goals of this EDSITEment lesson are to challenge stereotypes about cultures unfamiliar to us; to expand awareness of the range of factors that help constitute a cultural identity; to research, organize, and present information about everyday life in an unfamiliar culture; and to create an imaginative first hand account of life in an unfamiliar culture.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Inventors and Innovators
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to use the Internet to explore the scientific enterprise and the contributions to science of various people. Students use the Inventor of the Week Archives on the Invention Dimension Web site to create a class project on American invention.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Botany | Science - Ecology
Title: Investigating Local Ecosystems
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to use Internet resources to investigate the habitats of local plants and animals and to explore some of the ways animals depend on plants and each other. In the lesson, students observe living organisms in a local ecosystem and create detailed drawings and descriptions of them.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Portraits: I've Just Seen a Face
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Description: In this unit of six lessons, from EDSITEment, students explore the types and purposes of portraits. They cite three purposes a portrait can serve, list criteria for analyzing portraits, analyze a portrait of an historical figure, and related biographical research to a portrait.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Human Relations | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Jamestown Changes
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Description: In this lesson from EDSITEment, students study census data showing the names and occupations of early settlers of the English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, to discern how life changed in the Jamestown settlement in the first few years after it was founded. The goals of this lesson plan are to gain experience gathering information from primary sources, to examine changes over time in conditions at Jamestown as revealed in primary documents from early years in the colony, and to organize a statement of findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Debate | Language Arts - Speech | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Civics
Title: Kennewick Man: Science and Sacred Rights
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Description: This lesson from EDSITEment explores the controversy surrounding "Kennewick Man," the name given to a skeleton discovered near Kennewick, Washington, in July 1996. Identified by scientists as approximately 9,000 years old, Kennewick Man was claimed by five Northwestern tribes, who invoked their right under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to rebury him in accordance with their religious traditions. When archeologists filed suit to prevent this, arguing that the skeleton is not a tribal ancestor and can shed new light on the earliest inhabitants of North America, Kennewick Man became the center of a debate between science and religion in which both sought the protection of government and the law. The lesson plan introduces students to this complex, sharply contested controversy in a case study format, gathering documents from both sides to enrich their understanding of ancient and present day Native American cultures, and to encourage reflection on the relationship between science and religion, which have been cast as antagonists over similar issues from Galileo's time to our own.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Music | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Learning the Blues
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, introduces students to the blues, one of the most distinctive and influential elements of African-American musical tradition. Students take a virtual field trip to Memphis, Tennessee, one of the prominent centers of blues activities, and explore the history of the blues in the work of W. C. Handy and a variety of country blues singers whose music preserves the folk origins of this unique American art form.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Let Freedom Ring: The Life & Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students listen to a biography of Martin Luther King, Jr., view photographs of the March on Washington, and study King's use of imagery and allusion in his "I Have a Dream" speech. After studying King's use of imagery and allusion, they create original poetic phrases about freedom and illustrate them with symbols representing the forms of freedom that have yet to be realized in the United States.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Life on the Great Plains
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Description: In this four-part EDSITEment lesson, students examine the concept of geographic region by exploring the history of the Great Plains. They explore the concept of region and learn how culture and experience influence the perception of regions, investigate the relationships between physical geography and human systems of culture and settlement, trace the history and character of a region as reflected in literature and art, and examine factors that influenced westward expansion in the United States.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - United States History
Title: Like Father, Like Son: Presidential Families
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Description: This unit of four lessons, from EDSITEment, provides an opportunity for students to learn about and discuss two U.S. families in which both the father and son became President. Students address questions such as: What types of people might become President of the United States? What type of training as a child do you think these father/son pairs had to enable them to become President? Students explore how these Presidential sons were like their fathers, and personally explore how they think they are like their own parents.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Debate | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government
Title: Lincoln Goes to War
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Description: This EDSITEment lesson explores the decision-making process that precipitated the Civil War, focusing on deliberations within the Lincoln administration that led to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Drama | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - World History
Title: Sophocles' Antigone: Ancient Greek Theatre, Live From Antiquity!
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Description: The goals of this EDSITEment lesson are to gain an appreciation for Greek drama through study of a play by Sophocles, to explore the cultural and historical context of Greek drama and its role in Greek society, and to reconstruct the experience of seeing a Greek drama performed and share that experience in an imaginative report.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Engineering
Title: Making Objects Move
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Description: In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students study the motion of objects in order to create a structure that can be used to move an object from one place to another. They are encouraged to observe and test their structures, revising them as needed.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Science - Geology | Science - Natural History | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues
Title: Managing the Everglades Ecosystem
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to explore the Everglades ecosystem using the Internet. Students develop an understanding about conservation of resources in the context of the Everglades, explore relationships between species and habitats, and develop an understanding of how human beings have altered the equilibrium in the Everglades.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Mapping Our Worlds
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the world of maps and learn how to view the world around them in a two-dimensional format. They begin by depicting the familiar terrain of their favorite rooms. In order to understand the concept of boundaries, they then create maps of areas within their classroom. To reinforce the relationship of small to large and the concept of one area nesting within another, students then compare a series of online geographical maps, beginning with a map of their home state and ending with a map of the world. Finally, students may extend what they have learned by creating maps of other parts of their immediate environments, such as routes that they regularly travel.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Mapping the Past
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Description: This EDSITEment lesson provides students with experience in working with historical maps as cultural artifacts that reflect the views of particular times and places. They trace the evolving world view from medieval times through the Renaissance as recorded in maps of those eras, investigate how cultural assumptions influenced the process of mapping the American West, and discover what present-day maps can tell us about our world view and cultural aspirations.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Lesson 1: Mark Twain and American Humor
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Description: In lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students analyze the use of literary conventions and devices to develop character and point of view in Mark Twain's "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." They investigate the purposes and significance of literary humor and examine Mark Twain's storytelling style in relation to that of other American humorists.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Human Relations | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Power of Nonviolence
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment introduces students to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy of nonviolence and the teachings of Mohandas K. Gandhi that influenced King's views. After considering the political impact of this philosophy, students explore its relevance to personal life.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Engineering
Title: Materials and Manufacturing
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to look at different kinds of materials and identify their properties and their suitability for different purposes. In this investigation, the familiar tale of The Three Little Pigs is used as an introduction to materials and manufacturing. Students examine the properties, limitations and durability of a variety of materials, then evaluate which of the materials would be best for building a model house.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Discrete Mathematics
Title: Mathematical Proofs
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Description: In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students explore the nature of logic, evidence, and proofs in the context of mathematics. This lesson would be appropriate after students are familiar with the Pythagorean Theorem.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns | Science - Earth science
Title: Measuring Shadows
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students determine the pattern (length and direction) of shadows cast by sunlight during a several month period. They develop an interpretation of the daily and seasonal patterns and variations observed.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Water 3: Melting and Freezing
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the last in a three-part series, students investigate how melting and freezing impact the amount of three separate everyday items--water, chocolate, and margarine. This lesson is designed to help the students prepare themselves for the idea that most substances may exist as solids, liquids, or gases depending on the temperature, pressure and nature of that substance.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Science - Oceanography
Title: Models of the Water Cycle
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to develop an understanding of the cycling of water by building and evaluating two different physical models. In this lesson, students build and reflect on the usefulness of models that demonstrate the cycling of water in a closed system.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - United States History
Title: My Piece of History
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students examine pictures of household objects from the late 20th century, gather historical information about them from older family members, and then create an in-class exhibit of historical objects from their own homes.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - General Science
Title: Nearsightedness
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students develop an understanding of why scientific investigations may yield varying results. Students examine the nature of scientific research in the context of research pertaining to myopia--or nearsightedness--a common condition that normally first appears in school-age children. Myopia provides an interesting context in which to examine the scientific world view, because though it is a very common condition, it is a topic about which there is still some scientific debate.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - United States History
Title: Not 'Indians,' Many Tribes: Native American Diversity
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Description: In this unit of five lessons, from EDSITEment, students heighten their awareness of Native American diversity as they learn about three vastly different Native groups in a game-like activity using archival documents such as vintage photographs, traditional stories, photos of artifacts, and recipes. This unit helps students study the interaction between environment and culture.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Oceanography
Title: Oceans
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to obtain a better perception of Earth's oceans and to understand Earth's water cycle. This lesson is a good introduction to future lessons on weather and Earth's climatic changes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - State History | Social Studies - United States History
Title: On the Oregon Trail
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students work with primary documents and latter-day photographs to recapture the experience of traveling on the Oregon Trail. The goals of this lesson are to learn about the pioneer experience on the Oregon Trail, to evaluate a historical re-enactment in light of documentary evidence, and to synthesize historical data through creative writing.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Human Relations | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - State History | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Orphan Trains
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students develop their ideas about social trade-offs by examining the history of the Orphan Trains and the New York Children's Aid Society, created in 1853. The purpose of the society, a forerunner of modern foster care, was to provide thousands of street children with homes in rural communities in the American Midwest. For some poor urban children the trip west brought great opportunity, but for others it meant heartbreak and disappointment. The majority of the Internet resources about the Orphan Trains have resulted from genealogical research done by families of the children who were sent to the Midwest by the New York Children's Aid Society. By considering what these children as individuals both gained and lost, as well the benefits and consequences to the larger society, students can explore the concept of social trade-offs in a compelling context.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Other Worlds: The Voyage of Columbus
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the two worlds that made contact when Columbus stepped ashore in the New World in 1492. The goals of this lesson are to gain an understanding of the forces within European society that found expression in the voyage of Christopher Columbus, to examine the cultures of those whom Columbus and his successors encountered in the New World, to analyze the degree to which cultural expectations shaped the encounter experience for Columbus, and to reconstruct the encounter experience for those who saw Columbus sail into their world.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Perspectives on the Slave Narrative
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, introduces students to one of the most widely-read genres of 19th-century American literature and an important influence within the African American literary tradition even today. The lesson focuses on the "Narrative of William W. Brown, An American Slave" (1847), which, along with the "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" (1845), set the pattern for this genre and its combination of varied literary traditions and devices. Students learn about the slave narrative and its importance in the abolitionist movement, gain experience in working with the slave narrative as a resource for historical study, evaluate the slave narrative as a work of literature, examine the slave narrative in the context of political controversy as an argument for abolition, and explore themes of self-actualization and spiritual freedom within the slave narrative.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Professional Development - Instructional Issues | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Physical Health
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to identify how germs are spread, the diseases they can cause, and how hand washing can help prevent the spread of germs. In the lesson, students learn about some of the health habits that are essential for maintaining good health. Students engage in both online and hands on activities related to the topic of germs. Students learn that germs cause some, but not all diseases. They also learn the importance of hand washing for preventing the spread of germs, and thereby, the spread of disease.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Botany | Science - Ecology
Title: Pond Life
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the first in a two-part series on microorganisms, students investigate familiar and unfamiliar ecosystems using Internet resources, explore how various organisms satisfy their needs within their environments, and study the kinds of relationships that exist between organisms within an environment.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Mechanics
Title: Practical Criticism
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Description: The goals of this lesson, from EDSITEment, are to analyze the verbal devices through which poems make meaning, to compare one's personal interpretation of a poem with the personal interpretations of others, and to develop standards of literary judgment.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science
Title: Properties of Air
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to demonstrate that air takes up space, and puts pressure, or pushes, on everything around it. To start the lesson students are asked to write an explanation of what air is. At various points in the lesson they are be asked to revisit their explanations and refine them based on the phenomena they have experienced in the lesson.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Reading, Writing and 'Rithmetic in the One-Room Schoolhouse
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Description: In this unit of five lessons, from EDSITEment, students compare the experience of attending a one-room schoolhouse with going to school today. This unit focuses on the universal experience of going to school, using original photographs to give students a vivid impression of how American children received an education a hundred years ago. It encourages students to explore the similarities and differences of being a student in a one-room schoolhouse versus attending their own well-equipped, modern school.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Recycled Materials
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Description: In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students are introduced to the idea that some materials can be recycled. They investigate the types of materials that can be reused, as well as potential uses for each type of recyclable material.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Regulating Freedom of Speech
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Description: Freedom of speech is a fundamental American right, and regulation of that freedom has been a fundamental responsibility of the Supreme Court The goals of this lesson, from EDSITEment, are to trace the judicial review process within the Supreme Court from determination of facts through oral argument and the delivery of a written opinion, to examine the nature and limits of the Constitutional right to freedom of speech, and to explore the nature and purpose of dissent within the context of Supreme Court rulings.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Earth science | Science - Geology
Title: Sampling Rocks
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is for students to learn about sampling through an investigation of rocks found in the schoolyard. In this lesson, students collect and analyze a sampling of rocks from the schoolyard. They sort the collected rocks by characteristics such as size, weight, and color, to see if any generalizations can be made about the types of rocks that can be found in the schoolyard.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Disease | Health - Environmental Health | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Sanitation and Human Health
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to develop an understanding of the impact of improved sanitation on human health. In this lesson, students learn something about the ways that sanitation technology has helped people by examining the history of sanitation in the context of disease outbreaks and comparing the quality of life in those times to that of today. By the end of this lesson, students should recognize that advances in health and human life expectancy have resulted in large part because of technologies that we now take for granted, such as modern waste-disposal, sanitary food handling, and refrigeration.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Shape Hunt
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to give students opportunities to recognize, describe, build, and explore shapes in many different contexts. In this investigation, students look for examples of patterns and shapes in both the natural and designed world.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Shapes at Work
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to look for shapes in both the natural and designed world; to investigate the ways in which shapes can be used; to design and build structures using appropriate shapes. In this lesson, students record shapes that they find around them, identifying those that can be used to solve practical problems and build larger structures. Students will explore the uses of various shapes and record their findings in a science journal. It would also be helpful to display class findings on a bulletin board entitled "Shapes We Have Used (or Made)."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Sink or Float?
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Description: In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students make predictions about which objects will float in water. Students then test the objects and observe whether they sink or float. Finally, students use the activity sheet provided to classify objects according to their buoyancy. Related literature and on-line activities are also incorporated into the lesson.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Ecology | Science - Natural History | Social Studies - Human Relations | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Social Trade-Offs
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to make and evaluate decisions by weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each alternative. In the lesson, students practice the skill of decision-making through role-playing. Students are presented with a scenario in which they, along with their brothers and sisters, have just inherited a section of forestland. They must attempt to balance their interests with those of their siblings in order to reach a fair settlement on the use and management of the land. Students work as a class to evaluate the benefits, drawbacks, and potential risks associated with each alternative before making a final decision.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Sorting
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to develop the idea that information can be more easily managed and retrieved if it is logically sorted and stored, using the example of books in a library. The activities in this lesson focus on sorting and ordering things so that they can be easily retrieved at a later date.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Music | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Religion - Christianity
Title: Spirituals
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, introduces students to the role that spirituals played in African American history and religion. The goals of this lesson are to learn about the role spirituals have played in African American history and religion, to examine Harriet Tubman's use of spirituals in her work for the Underground Railroad, to explore the continuing power of the spiritual in the Civil Rights Movement and as a shared American heritage, and to gain experience in working with oral tradition; biography; and song as types of historical evidence.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Physics | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Splitting the Atom
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to use the Internet to research the history of the splitting of the atom and to use that research to make a presentation on an aspect of that topic. The focus of the "splitting-the-atom" story should be on the discovery of nuclear fission and its impact on world affairs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Agriculture | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Steam Engines
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to use the Internet to explore the Industrial Revolution. They learn that cultural patterns change because of technological innovations, scientific discoveries, and population changes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Engineering | Science - General Science
Title: Simple Machines
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to use Internet resources to explore the parts of a system and develop students' understanding of the interactions between those parts, as well as engage in troubleshooting and design related to systems. In this investigation, students take a closer look at a variety of simple hardware devices. They observe the interactions between the elements of the devices, through both hands-on and Internet exploration.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Story Telling
Title: Tales of the Supernatural
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the origins and development of gothic literature. The goals of this lesson are to explore the origins and development of a literary genre, to investigate how shared imaginative concerns link the members of a literary period, to examine the evolution of a literary tradition, and to compare works of literature from different eras.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry
Title: The Acid Test
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to devise a scientific investigation to detect acids and bases in common materials. In this lesson, students prepare a test solution whose color changes when an acid or a base is added; determine whether various household substances are acids or bases, and look for patterns in the results; determine how their test solution compares to commercial acid-base testers; and search for other test solutions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: The Allergy Chronicles
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to use the Internet to explore how the immune system functions in a variety of allergic reactions. Students should already have a working knowledge of body systems, and the immune system in particular.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: The Busy Brain
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to understand how the brain receives and sends signals to the body. This lesson introduces the brain, but not just the brain. It emphasizes how the brain interacts with the rest of the body. Students learn about this by understanding "messages" that go from parts of the body to the brain, and vice versa.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: The Demographics of Mortality
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to use the Internet to explore population distribution and survivorship curves. In the lesson, students utilize research skills to explore some of the factors that can affect the size and rate of growth of human populations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Architecture | Mathematics - Discrete Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: The Fibonacci Series
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to appreciate and investigate a numerical pattern and to look for evidence of mathematical patterns in nature. In this lesson, students explore the Fibonacci series. They identify the pattern among the Fibonacci numbers, look for applications of these numbers, and explore the ways that this pattern can be related to objects and shapes in both the natural and designed world.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Natural History | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Human Relations | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: The Fish Trade
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to examine the interdependence of global trade in the context of the economic and social aspects of fisheries and aquaculture. Students learn how global cooperation is needed to ensure that the fish industry continues to grow.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Foreign Languages - Bilingualism | Foreign Languages - Cultural Awareness | Foreign Languages - Reading | Foreign Languages - Vocabulary | Foreign Languages - Writing
Title: The Language Bank
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Description: The goals of this lesson, from EDSITEment, are to provide practice in reading, listening to, and writing in a foreign language; to expand vocabulary and command of idiom in a foreign language; to gain greater understanding of a foreign culture; and to raise awareness of the practical importance of foreign language skills in a global society.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Speech | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - United States History
Title: George Washington: The Living Symbol
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Description: The goals of this lesson, from EDSITEment, are to examine the life and legend of George Washington as reflected in his writings and in popular commemorations of his accomplishments, to investigate his contribution to the legend that has grown up around him, to explore some of the meanings that have been attached to Washington through the course of American history, and to present a statement of findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Drama | Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Story Telling | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: The Meaning Behind the Mask
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the cultural significance of masks, discuss the use of masks in stories, and then investigate the role masks play in ceremonies and on special occasions in various African cultures. After students have studied these masks, they are then given an opportunity to choose a familiar story and make simple masks to perform the story.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Philosophy - Logic | Science - General Science
Title: The Mozart Effect
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to develop an understanding of why skepticism is important in science by looking at actual scientific studies regarding the effect of playing Mozart's music to infants. In this lesson, students explore what happens when the media and/or the public discover a scientific study and extrapolate the message into "truth" without the benefit of further study. This lesson, based on a study on music and spatial task performance originally published in the journal "Nature," also demonstrates how public policy can be based on a faulty or unreplicated study.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Statue of Liberty: The Meaning and Use of a National Symbol
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Description: In this unit of seven lessons, from EDSITEment, students explore the nature of national symbols. Students study the Statue of Liberty, complete research on a national symbol, and use their research to communicate a message of their own.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Space Sciences
Title: The Sun
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to introduce students to our local star, the Sun, especially its structure and its features such as sun spots, magnetic fields, and solar flares. By focusing on physical characteristics of the sun, this lesson gives students a general understanding of what a star is, which can be the basis of understanding the general make-up of other stars in far off galaxies.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Traces: Historic Archaeology
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Description: In this unit of five lessons, from EDSITEment, students "recover" and analyze artifacts from sites in use from the settlement period to the second half of the 19th century. They look for similarities and differences among the artifacts and the lives they reveal. In conclusion, students look at today's eventual artifacts of the future and consider how we may be viewed.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Uncertainty
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students analyze collections of both their own data and that of others. They create data distributions in order to determine the highest, lowest, and middle values, as well as pile ups and gaps, for a particular set of data. Students are also introduced to the notion of sample size and how it can affect results. Finally, students begin to explore the questions that can be answered based on a set of data, and the additional questions it might prompt one to ask.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Debate | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government
Title: Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, examines a critical episode in George Washington's second administration, when federal efforts to collect an excise tax on liquor sparked armed resistance in the frontier communities of western Pennsylvania. Students focus on answering the question: When is the federal government justified in using force against American citizens?
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - General Science
Title: Water 1: Water and Ice
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, the first in a three-part series from Science NetLinks, is to explore how water can change from a solid to a liquid and then back again. As part of the investigation, students take simple measurements using a thermometer and a balance.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: What Can We Learn From Artifacts?
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, one of a two-part series on archaeology, students determine what artifacts are, how they are discovered, and what information can be learned from them. They also learn how artifacts are initially buried and then excavated.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology | Science - Embryology
Title: What Happens in the First 9 Months?
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to familiarize students with the stages of human development during pregnancy. This lesson provides students with the chance to explore human development using Internet resources that contain text, drawings, photos, and video about human development.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Early Multi-National Influences in the United States
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Description: The four lessons in this unit, from EDSITEment, are designed to help students make connections between European voyages of discovery, colonial spheres of influence, and various aspects of American culture. They map 18th-century Europe's influence on what is now the U.S., list remnants of European influence that still remain today, and connect marks of European influence with specific explorers.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: What's in a Shape?
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to explore characteristics of shapes by making and using tangram sets. Students discover how the tangram pieces are related to one another and determine how many different combinations of the triangles, squares, and parallelograms can make a given shape.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Where I Come From
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students take research into their heritage a step beyond the construction of a family tree, traveling through cyberspace to find out what's happening in their ancestral homelands today and explore their sense of connection to these places in their past.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Who Was Cinque?
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, focuses on Cinque, the leader of the 1839 Amistad revolt. The lesson draws on a variety of documentary resources to examine how he was perceived by Americans on both sides of the debate over slavery.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - History | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Women in Africa: Tradition and Change
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students can gain insight into the lives of some black women in Sub-Saharan Africa by adopting a perspective that is in part traditional, based on the arts of African village life, and in part postcolonial, based on the work of African women writing in English and French today. The goals of this lesson plan are to learn about the role of women in traditional African village life, to understand the contextual nature of artwork within traditional African village life, to become familiar with women writers of postcolonial Africa, and to examine how the traditions of village life influence postcolonial literature.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues
Title: Women in Medicine: Past and Future
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to explore scientific enterprise in relation to the role of women in science as it has developed over the last 150 years. In this investigation, students compare the careers of two women, a century apart, involved in medical research. They also learn about xenotransplantation, the use of animal organs and tissues for transplant into human patients.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Women in the White House
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the role and impact of recent First Ladies through research and family interviews, and then work in groups to present a documentary portrait to the class.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - World History
Title: The World of Haiku
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the traditions and conventions of haiku, comparing this classic form of Japanese poetry to a related genre of Japanese visual art and composing haiku of their own.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Photography | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Depression-Era Photographs: Worth a Thousand Words
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Description: The goals of this lesson, from EDSITEment, are to gain insight into New Deal programs and the experience of Depression-era Americans, to recognize the distinction between observation and inference when drawing information from documentary photographs, to recognize some ways the photographer can influence interpretation of documentary photographs, and to gain experience in critical thinking about media.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Science - Natural History | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Yellowstone Wolves
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Description: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to use the Internet to explore relationships between habitats and species (specifically the gray wolf and those species with which it must coexist) as well as the effect of physical and human forces on living things and their environment. Students focus on the example of the conflict between ranchers and wolves.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Drama | Arts - Theater | Language Arts - Literature
Title: Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: 'You Kiss by the Book'
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, complements study of plot and characterization in "Romeo and Juliet" by focusing on Shakespeare's use of lyric forms and conventions to spotlight moments in the drama and thereby heighten the impact of the action on the stage. Students examine the first meeting between Romeo and Juliet as an enactment of figurative language in a context of competing poetic styles, explore the use of poetic forms to impart perspective in later episodes of the play, and gain experience in close reading and the interpretation of verse structure and imagery.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: MOVIE-Legend Editing 101
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. The zip file contains a 10-minute .AVI movie showing a variety of ways to edit the legend in ArcView or ArcVoyager. The film is annotated with notes running below the screen. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcVoyager Puzzle-HAL 2001
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This resource is a puzzle for use with "ArcVoyager PointMe: US Reference Map." It requires some comfort with ArcVoyager's components and skill in analyzing data. In the exercise users will need to isolate a site that meets a series of characteristics. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcVoyager Puzzle: Left-Handed Chocolate Caper
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson has a puzzle for use with ArcVoyager Level 3 "Designing Global Adventures - Point Me: World Physical Map." It is a search for the hiding place of a captured scientist. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcVoyager Puzzle-Magic Dan
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson is a puzzle to use with ArcVoyager "Show Me: World Atlas." Users must find the right place around the planet for Magic Dan's Extreme Sea & Ski Resort. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcVoyager Puzzle: Missing Ship
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This resource is a puzzle to use with ArcVoyager "Show Me: World Atlas." Users must locate the site where a "ship" went down, somewhere on earth. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcVoyager Puzzle-Quest for Gisium
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This resource is a puzzle for use with ArcVoyager Level 3 "Designing Global Adventures: Point Me." Users must find a source of a rare raw material. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcVoyager Puzzle-Returning Raster
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This reference is a puzzle for use with ArcVoyager "World Atlas: Show Me." Users must locate where on earth a monkey came from, using a few clues. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcVoyager Puzzle-Storing Gisium
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This resource is a puzzle for use with ArcVoyager "Designing Global Adventures: Point Me: US Reference Map." It is a site selection process requiring theme subsetting. The lesson also calls for deleting some data sets and adding sets from ESRI's "GIS for Schools & Libraries CD #5." ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Historical Landscape Reconstruction with GIS
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson will guide students through the steps that are required to create a full landscape history of a parcel of land in an urban setting using ArcView GIS software. They will assume the role of environmental site assessment consultants and be able to make important recommendations to their "clients" when they finish their analysis. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcVoyager Training Tasks
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This resource provides a downloadable 33-page set of exercises walking users through "Turn Me Loose: Creating New Worlds" to create three sequences of three maps each - a world sequence, a U.S. states sequence, and counties of a U.S. state sequence. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Data Collection and Mapping with GPS/GIS
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This advanced lesson is an overview of what steps students need to follow to complete a project with GPS/GIS. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Montana K-12 GIS Manual & Data Kit
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson is a compilation of documents, tailored lessons, and GIS data (the Prairie to Mountain Explorer CD Set) focused on the use of ArcView GIS in K-12 education in Montana. For more information about the Prairie to Mountain Explorer cd set visit http://nasc.uwyo.edu/edparc/. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: The Application of A Sustainable Development Model
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson has students select a country, gather geographic, economic, and demographic data for that country, create a plan for sustainable development, and make policy recommendations to the country. Students use social, economic, and demographic data from ArcWorld, and construct world and regional maps. Students use a digital chart of the world to map physical geographic features, such as drainage, topography, and natural resources. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcView Tutorial I-California Geology
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson utilizes a geologic map of California as a vehicle to introduce students to basic functionalities of ArcView 3. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcView Tutorial II-Sliding Rocks
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson is intended, along with "ArcView Tutorial I: California Geology," to replace the tutorials included in the ArcView 3 manual. The sliding rocks of the Racetrack Playa (Death Valley, California) are used as the focus for several vector-based analyses. In this activity, various types of queries, legend and symbology editing, and adding/joining tables are explored. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Are All Beaches the Same?
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson has students compare the sands of several beaches as to grain size and mineral content to see if it is possible to tell them apart. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Blown Away
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. Blown Away is a tornadoes lesson plan using ArcView GIS to spatially correlate tornado location and intensity to average seasonal US jet stream position. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Climate Graphs Lesson
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson shows how to create climate graphs from monthly temperature and precipitation data. Climate graphs are linked to maps, making it easy to compare climate characteristics and location. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Earthquake Density Mapping & 3D Representation
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson provides students with a step-by-step method of creating density maps from point data. It also provides an additional step-by-step tutorial of how to create a 3-dimensional map of the same data. Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst are needed to complete this lesson. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Earthquakes Around the World
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. In this lesson students will understand the concepts of plates and tectonic activity zones. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Geology Laboratory Help
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This file contains two lab help examples based on exercises found in "Laboratory Manual For Physical Geology, 3rd ed." by Norris Jones, published by McGraw Hill. Both examples use images of United States Geological Survey topographic maps. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: JASON XII Hawaii GIS (PC)
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson provides an introductory activity for the JASON XII expedition. The downloadable file, in zip format, provides data about the Big Island of Hawaii plus a lesson for looking at watersheds. Note there is a separate file for Macintosh users. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Making Earthshaking Discoveries
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson allows students to learn about certain aspects of earthquakes & plate tectonics, using GIS data as a tool to view and analyze the data. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Mapping GLOBE Temperature Observations
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson illustrates how data from the GLOBE Program Web site can be mapped and analyzed using GIS. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Earth science | Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Rollin' and Shakin'
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson illustrates how current earthquake data can be downloaded from the Internet and explored in ArcView GIS. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Spatial Analyst-Flooding Florida
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson uses Spatial Analyst to look at the question of how many people would be affected in Florida, and where, if the sea level were to rise just two meters. This downloadable file contains a 17-minute ScreenCam movie showing the entire exploration in operation and a free ScreenCam player can be downloaded. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Geology | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcVoyager Landforms Lessons
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson explores landforms and related features of the United States' physical geography within ArcVoyager. The lesson challenges students to consider how the landforms of the U.S. affect the patterns of population settlement. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: ArcVoyager Race and Ethnicity Lesson
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson explores settlement patterns of the United States' major racial and ethnic groups. The activity relies on the U.S. Race and Ethnicity Project within ArcVoyager and is based upon 1990 Census data. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Canada's Climate
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson examines climate data from different places across Canada. Using ArcVoyager, students will generate climate graphs for these areas and compare the different types of climate across the country. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: ArcLessons: Canals, Roads, Trails - Macintosh version
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson explores the patterns of migration and settlement in America along canals, roads, and trails. The use of the western trails allowed one group of people to expand because of land, religion, and commerce, while another group, the Native Americans, became the forgotten people. Note, this is a downloadable file for Macintosh; there is a similar file for Windows. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: ArcLessons: Canals, Roads, Trails - Windows version
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson explores the patterns of migration and settlement in America along canals, roads, and trails. The use of the western trails allowed one group of people to expand because of land, religion, and commerce, while another group, the Native Americans, became the forgotten people. Note, this is a downloadable file for Windows; there is a similar file for Macintosh. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: ArcLessons: Colonialism and Global Welfare
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson lets students examine a number of factors experts use to measure human welfare throughout the world. It provides students with information about the colonial history of most of the countries of the world so that they can explore relationships between the colonial experiences of countries and conditions they are experiencing today. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Election 2000
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson allows students to explore many variables that played a role in the 2000 election process: racial and ethnic composition of the voting age population by state, voter registration and actual voting history by state, electoral votes by state, and political party composition of both the House of Representatives and of the Senate by state. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: ArcLessons: Historical GIS Lesson-Manifest Destiny
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS software skills lesson on data files. This lesson is an introductory historical GIS project. It combines basic Arcview skills with topics that are taught in United States history classes. Students will learn the origins of each of the fifty states that make up the United States of America. The lesson contains notes for the teacher, student lessons and tables of data. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Investigating Africa
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. The goal of this lesson is for students to understand the patterns of living standards across Sub-Saharan Africa and to appreciate the value of thematic maps in comparing and contrasting demographic data among countries within that region. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Mapping Countries of the 2000 Olympics
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson includes a PDF lesson plan for beginning GIS users and provides students a socio-demographic snapshot of the many countries participating in the 2000 Olympic Games. This exercise involves students making a series of world maps. They will not look at Olympic nations through the eyes of sport but instead through characteristics about the countries themselves. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Mapping the St. Lawrence Seaway
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS software skills lesson on data files. The objective of this exercise is to create a map of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Students will include features such as major water bodies, major cities, roads and railways. They will explore how the infrastructure of the St Lawrence Seaway has had an impact on the growth of the area. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: U.S. 1996 Election
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson requires ArcView 2.1 and is about the U.S. 1996 Presidential election. It includes a pre-constructed project with three views, asking users to make hypotheses and test these using the maps. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: ArcLessons: Which Way Did They Go?
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. The purpose of this lesson is to discover what physical factors influenced the routes explorers traveled. Students will examine maps and draw exploration routes, map actual explorer routes based on historical data provided and understand how topography affected exploration. A printable student worksheet, in pdf format, is available for download. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Angles
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Description: This page provides three labs, reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, that teachers can use to help their students build important conceptual foundations for formal geometry related to angles. The first two labs involve the use of pattern blocks. In the first, students explore angle measure by placing different combinations of pattern blocks around a point calculating the angle measures of each. In the second, students explore angles of polygons by writing instructions on how to "walk" the shape of the polygon. The third lab is more advanced, and involves the use of the circle geoboard. In this lab, students explore various types of triangles inscribed in a circle, and formulate ways to find the measure of the angles without using a protractor.
All of these labs should be useful for helping students to understand angle measure and the properties of various geometric figures. One of the strengths of these investigations is that they use manipulatives, allowing students to experience the concepts. Students are also called on to formulate their own generalizations and methods for determining angle measure. These labs take more than one period to complete; in fact, depending on how much discussion time is included, they could take up to three periods.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Counting Change
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Description: This resource, provided by Quia.com and reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations, is a colorful online activity for students who are learning about counting money. The applet is constructed as a matching game in which students choose the coin combinations that match the given money amounts. While the activity does not introduce the concepts, it might be effective following a lesson on money. The problem sets are varied, and an answer key is provided for each. Note that a Java-enabled browser is required for this activity.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Eating to Zero
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Description: This resource, from the Everyday Math Web site, is easy to incorporate during classroom snack time and is very cost effective. By eating small snack items, students will eat their way to the quantity of zero. The site recommends other extension activities that may be used throughout the day to reinforce the concept of zero.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Number Theory
Title: Estimation: Tens
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Description: This resource, from the Quia Web site, provides students with practice on rounding to the nearest ten. Two activities are provided in a game-like format. In the matching activity, students click on two of a rectangular array of "cards" where one is the rounded value of the other. The concentration activity simulates the popular card game. Here the values are hidden, and the students click on the "cards" to turn them over in pairs, with the goal of matching a card with its rounded value. This resource requires a Java-enabled browser.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Human Decimal Activity
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Description: This resource, from the Educator's Reference Desk, is an activity designed to teach concepts of decimals by acting out their place values. Students are given a 1-digit number, and the teacher calls a set of students to go to the front of the room. Students arrange themselves according to a decimal that the teacher calls out. In the second part of the activity, students are given a second sheet of paper with a decimal value on it. In the front of the room, they use their decimal values to arrange themselves in least-to-greatest order.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Place Value
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Description: This resource, from the Teacher's Corner Web site, provides an activity wherein different numbers of base ten blocks are placed in ziploc bags. A permanent marker is used to draw a line down the middle of the bag. By moving the tens blocks to the left of the line and the ones blocks to the right of the line, students learn to work with place values. This manipulative is recommended for students with dexterity challenges who may have difficulty manipulating groups of blocks without the constraint of a ziploc bag.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Really Big Numbers
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Description: This resource, located on the Math Cats Web site, focuses on students who need reinforcement on the verbal representation of numbers between zero and one billion. After entering any number, students are prompted to state the number verbally and are then allowed to check their answers with the written number. This drill and practice sequence may help students review the representation of large numbers. Activities on the Math Cats Web site require the Microworlds plug-in, a free download for both Macintosh and Windows.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Self-Similarity
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Description: This resource, from Cynthia Lanius at Rice University, offers students an introduction to similar and self-similar figures. The lesson begins by presenting students with several examples of similar (and not-so similar) figures. The lesson then goes on to explain exactly why the figures were (or were not) similar. Next, students are asked to think about similarity as it is related to self-similarity. The lesson also makes a connection between self-similarity and fractals, particularly the Sierpinski Triangle. The follow-up questions at the end of the lesson also afford students the opportunity to further investigate the concept of self-similarity by asking them to experiment with other possible self-similar shapes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: CESME: Jack and the Beanstalk: K-2 Measurement
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Description: "Jack and the Beanstalk" is a familiar story, but teachers may not think about the interesting mathematics suggested by the story. In this activity presented by The Center of Excellence for Science & Mathematics Education, students first hear the story of Jack. They then make estimations of the lengths of body parts and compare them to actual measurements. They then think about how the measurements would be different for a giant, and by making a giant with paper, they can test out their guesses. Thus, while the focus of the lesson is on estimation and measurement, some ties may also be made to beginning ideas of proportionality, as the students compare the measurements of themselves with the measurements for the giants.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Cynthia Lanius: Fraction Shapes: 3-5 Numbers and Operations
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Description: This activity by Cynthia Lanius is about fractions, including fractional values and equivalent fractions. These activities can be explored using physical blocks or using triangular grid paper (provided), but perhaps the most interesting environment will be to use an on-line set of pattern blocks. Answers are provided on-line, but a teacher will need to structure some discussion around the activities to get the most out of them.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Solve the Puzzle of the Seashell Spiral
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Description: At this site, part of an online exhibit on the Renaissance from Annenberg Media Learner.org, students will learn about the Fibonacci series and its relationship to Renaissance art and architecture. Students will use the Fibonacci sequence to create a golden spiral. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "The Fibonacci Series."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Enchanted Mind Tangrams
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Description: This site from Enchanted Mind features several interactive Java tangram puzzles. A brief description and history of tangrams is also found here. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "What's in a Shape?"
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Discrete Mathematics
Title: MegaMath Stories
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Description: This page from MEGA Mathematics contains links to a variety of mathematical problems and puzzles disguised as stories. This page is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "Finding Satisfactory Solutions."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Let's Count!
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Description: This Web page is one of Cynthia Lanius' math pages from Rice University's Department of Mathematics. On this page, young students can participate in an interactive counting activity. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "It Counts."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Let's Count Again!
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Description: This Web page is one of Cynthia Lanius' math pages from Rice University's Department of Mathematics. On this page, young students can participate in an interactive counting activity. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "It Counts."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Let's Count Animals!
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Description: This Web page is one of Cynthia Lanius' math pages from Rice University's Department of Mathematics. On this page, young students can participate in an interactive counting activity. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "It Counts."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Let's Count! Teachers' Page
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Description: This Web page is one of Cynthia Lanius' math pages from Rice University's Department of Mathematics. This is the teachers' guide to the Let's Count! series of pages, where young students can participate in interactive counting activities. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "It Counts."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns | Science - General Science
Title: No Matter What Shape Your Fractions Are in
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Description: This Web page is part of Cythia Lanius' Web site from Rice University's Department of Mathematics. On this page students explore fractions by manipulating shapes. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "Shape Hunt."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns | Science - General Science
Title: Codes for Scouts and Cubs
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Description: This collection from ScoutWeb South Africa is a collection of activities relating to code deciphering. The collection is ordered from "Beginner" codes, which Cubs can easily handle, then "Substitution" codes which are easy codes for Scouts, and then a few tougher puzzles.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Constructing Your Own Set of Tangrams
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Description: This Web page is part of a Math Forum Web Unit on tangrams. On this page, students or teachers can follow a set of simple, illustrated instructions to make their own set of tangrams. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "What's in a Shape?"
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Geometry Through Art
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Description: This Web page from The Math Forum features an article by math teacher and artist Norman Shapiro. In this article, Shapiro describes hands-on, interdisciplinary activities he used to introduce students and their parents to geometry. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "Shape Hunt."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Tangram Resources
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Description: This Web page is part of a Math Forum Web Unit on tangrams. On this page, students or teachers can find links to and brief descriptions of other Web sites featuring tangrams. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "What's in a Shape?"
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: The Fibonacci Series: Apartment Buildings
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Description: Part of the Fibonacci Series from the ThinkQuest library, this educational webpage applies a Fibonacci pattern to painting apartment buildings. This page is featured in the ScienceNetLinks lesson, The Fibonacci Series.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Fibonacci Numbers and Nature
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Description: This page from the University of Surrey contains a number of simple math puzzles related to the Fibonacci series. This Web page is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "The Fibonacci Series."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Fibonacci Numbers and Nature
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Description: This page from the University of Surrey explores Fibonacci numbers in nature. The site examines rabbit, cow, and honeybee reproduction, seashell spirals, branching plants, leaf arrangement, flower petals, pine cones, and more, in the context of Fibonacci numbers. The site uses a variety of diagrams and provides suggestions for activities. This site is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson "The Fibonacci Series."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Marco Polo
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students retrace the steps of Marco Polo and discover what they can learn from the cultures they encounter along the way. They also consider what they might take home to share with friends and family.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Scientists Improve Wildfire Forecasts for Western United States
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Description: Borrowing statistical methods long used by climate forecasters, scientists in California have developed a modeling tool to help officials better predict the wildfires that devastate large parts of the western United States every year. An initial study in 2001 showed that that year's fire season was likely to be much milder than that of 2000, which was the worst in half a century. Read about wildfire forecasts in this National Geographic News article.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Architecture | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: A Landmark Lesson: The United States Capitol Building
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Description: This unit of three lessons, from EDSITEment, explores what makes the U.S. Capitol "symbolically important." Working in small groups, students uncover and share the Capitol's story.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Reading Aloud | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: All Together Now: Collaborations in Poetry Writing
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Description: This unit of three lessons from EDSITEment makes poetry exciting for students as they listen to, write, and recite poems that are sure to please. By the end of the unit, students should be able to create lines of poetry in response to poems read aloud, identify musical elements of literary language, and recite short poems or excerpts.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Music | Arts - Photography | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Dust Bowl Days
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Description: This unit of seven lessons, from EDSITEment, introduces the dramatic era of the Great Depression to students through photographs, songs, and interviews with people who lived through the Dust Bowl years. These lessons also help students understand the problems Americans were facing during the Great Depression and the attempts of the government and citizens to solve these problems.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - State History | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Listening to History
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Description: This unit of four lessons, from EDSITEment, is designed to help students tap the resource of family stories and local history by conducting oral history interviews with family members. Through a series of classroom activities, the lessons introduce students to the riches historians can discover in firsthand recollections, help them choose a topic and prepare for a productive family interview, provide tips for conducting and recording the interview, and offer suggestions for sharing their family stories in a historical narrative or report.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Oh, Say, Can You See What the Star-Spangled Banner Means?
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Description: This unit of eight lessons, from EDSITEment, is designed to explore the symbolic, historical, and literary background of the American flag, beginning with Francis Scott Key's poetic account of the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Using archival documents and images, students associate Key's words with historic events and recognize the sentiment those words inspired. In the second part of the unit, students review the symbols within the flag and look at some historic images of the flag that have become part of American national consciousness.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: On This Day with Lewis and Clark
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Description: This five-lesson unit, from EDSITEment, is designed to help students appreciate the immensity and mystery of the mission Lewis and Clark accepted. As "experts" investigating specific subjects assigned to Lewis by President Jefferson, students conduct careful research. Reading brief diary entries of the men of the Corps sparks the interest of students as they relive the discoveries of the original participants.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Human Relations | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Portrait of a Hero
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Description: Through the series of interactive activities in this EDSITEment unit, students explore their beliefs about heroes and heroism. They share names of familiar figures they consider to be heroes, and then closely examine their reasons for believing each one is a hero. Students then view portraits of heroes from American history and glean a bit of background information on each one. They identify the heroic personality traits and characteristics of each hero. Students also broaden their understanding of what makes a hero, enabling them to identify the real-life heroes who surround them each day. Finally, students consider ways they, too, may become everyday heroes.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Reading Aloud | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Writing Poetry Like Pros
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Description: This unit of four lessons, from EDSITEment, utilizes poetry to serve as the inspiration for some terrific writing. Using poems available through EDSITEment resources, educators can make poetry an exciting teaching and learning tool in the classroom.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Conducting a Transect
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS software skills lesson on transects. A transect is a line that cuts across something, such as a road through a town, or a river through a state. People use transects to get to know an area, mapping a linear span (often with GPS) instead of a whole broad area. This resource includes a 6-page set of background information and teacher ideas for doing a transect, plus a sample Excel spreadsheet for recording data. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Then and Now: Life in Early America, 1740 - 1840
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Description: In this unit of 12 lessons, from EDSITEment, students use archival materials, re-creations, and classroom activities in order to consider which aspects of everyday life have changed and which have stayed the same in the last 200 years. The lessons include many hands-on and interactive activities and games including "dressing" an eighteenth-century paper doll, creating an early American toy, and guessing the function of historical "mystery" objects.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The First Amendment: What's Fair in a Free Country?
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Description: In this unit of six lessons, from EDSITEment, students consider the limitations that have been placed on the First Amendment guarantee of "freedom of speech" by subsequent U.S. Supreme Court rulings. By analyzing specific Supreme Court cases, they learn that interpreting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights is an ongoing process.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Music | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization | Social Studies - United States History
Title: I Hear the Locomotives: The Impact of the Transcontinental Railroad
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Description: In this four lesson unit, from EDSITEment, students analyze archival material in order to make connections between the arrival of the railroads and many of the changes that occurred subsequently in the United States and its territories. They learn how the development of the Transcontinental Railroad brought about an increase in hide hunting and so the demise of the Native American tribes dependent on the buffalo herds, and they examine documents relating to other economic and social upheavals brought about by this revolution in travel.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Foreign Languages - Cultural Awareness | Foreign Languages - Vocabulary | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: La Familia
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Description: In this unit of three lessons, from EDSITEment, students learn about families in various Spanish cultures and gain a preliminary knowledge of the Spanish language, learning the Spanish names for various family members. After completing the lessons in this unit, students are able to locate Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries on a map of the world and describe similarities and differences between family life in America and family life in Spain, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Fleas and the Black Death
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to investigate the role of fleas, a well-known parasite, in the European Black Death of the 14th century. They research this topic on the Web and create posters or multimedia presentations showing how fleas spread the disease.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Entomology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Insects We Love and Hate
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson is about insects rather than parasites, but it teaches students about some insect parasites (e.g. mosquitoes and lice) as well as about insects in general. They see pictures of insects that bite and sting, and others of insects that don't bother people. They then classify insects into "likeable" and "not-so-likeable" categories and draw pictures of insects that people like and don't like.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Disease | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Parasites and Disease
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students research some parasite-borne diseases and report on how parasites infect their hosts and how people are trying to reduce infection rates. They prepare reports to the governments of countries that have specific parasite-borne diseases, describing the role of the parasites in the disease and explaining what might be done to reduce or eradicate the disease.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Can We Keep the Lake Clean?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces students to the water cycle by having them help draw a picture of a lake ecosystem, adding human impacts that affect water quality. Students conclude by creating their own illustrations of human-induced changes to a lake ecosystem.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Who Pays the Price When a Sea Disappears?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to learn about the problems in the Aral Sea region and to figure out how the sea's water loss is affecting specific groups of people, such as babies and fishermen. They work in groups to prepare statements that these people might make, and they present their statements to a mock United Nations panel.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Using Geography to Learn About History
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students investigate how geography impacted daily life, warfare, and trade in ancient Greece. They use this information to write statements to a school committee explaining how geography should be incorporated into the history curriculum.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Greek and Roman Land Use: What Was the Difference?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson helps students differentiate between ancient Greek and ancient Roman practices of land and natural resource use and assess the extent to which the Romans adopted Greek practices. They research Greek and Roman land use and illustrate maps with Greek and Roman land use practices.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physics
Title: Law Breaking Balloons
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about some of the misconceptions surrounding Newtonian laws of motion. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Physics | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Before Big Bang
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the Big Bang theory and some of the most fundamental and profound questions of cosmology. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Engineering | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Liberty Bell
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear how a scientist has replicated the original sound of the Liberty Bell, using a computer simulation. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Oceanography
Title: Bouncy Blubber
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the form and functions of marine mammals' blubber. Blubber is a good deal more complex and serves far more purposes than scientists had once believed. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Cat's Meow
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the theories and mysteries surrounding the purpose and origins of various feline vocalizations. While purring appears to be a common mechanism of communication between cats, meowing may be a behavior geared towards eliciting a desired response from their human masters. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Botany | Science - Ecology | Science - Ecology
Title: Cave Trees
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Description: This Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about some of the mystery surrounding tree roots. Ecologist Rob Jackson discusses his work going into caves to study the roots systems of trees. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Engineering
Title: Cheese Tomography
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about non-destructive evaluation techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One researcher is applying MRI technology to the making of Swiss cheese. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Oceanography
Title: Deaf Manatees
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about why so many manatees are injured through collisions with powerboats in the Florida Everglades. Scientist Edmund Gerstein discusses his discovery that manatees are unable to hear boats approaching. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Environmental Health | Health - Safety | Science - Ecology | Science - Ecology | Science - Engineering
Title: Jean Engineering
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a unique solution for cleaning up contaminated groundwater using blue jeans. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Dog Variety
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the selective breeding of dogs and other domesticated species throughout history. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Botany | Science - Ecology | Science - Ecology | Science - Engineering
Title: Elephant Grass
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the problems surrounding the disposal of non-biodegradable materials. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Fair Division
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about an interactive algorithm that can be used in the resolution of conflicts surrounding the division of rooms and rent among roommates. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Botany | Science - Ecology
Title: Fog Forest
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how the fog that commonly blankets the redwood forests of coastal California may provide essential resources for the entire forest. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject:
Title: The Grooviest of Fabrics
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the invention, manufacture, and development of polyester. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology
Title: Wind Gusts
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about why the wind comes and goes, often in dramatic bursts. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Hair Transplant
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about hair transplantation as one cure for male pattern baldness. Research has revealed the existence of a cell involved in follicle growth, which, when donated, is not rejected by the recipients immune system. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Learning from Hibernating Animals
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how research into the biology of hibernation may help us develop new methods of preserving organs for transplant. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Physics
Title: Higgs Field
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear Nobel Prize winning physicist Leon Lederman's prediction of the next revolutionary discovery in physics. He discusses the "Higgs Particle," which is a mysterious particle that implies the existence of a field that pervades all of space. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: Hominid Diet
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about research that indicates that early humans may have eaten termites as at least part of their diet. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Botany
Title: Poison Ivy
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about poison ivy's chemical defenses. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Science - Oceanography
Title: Marine Reserves
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the preservation of marine ecosystems through the creation of marine reserves and the unexpected impact the reserves have on their surroundings. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Monkey Brains
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the discovery that our brains add new cells as we get older. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Foreign Languages - Bilingualism | Foreign Languages - Linguistics | Language Arts - Listening Comprehension | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Musical Illusion
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about auditory illusions. One study examined what a particular musical illusion reveals about the infant brain. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Grammar | Language Arts - Speech | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Orangutan U
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the discovery that orangutans appear capable of a much broader range of communication than had been previously believed. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Music | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: Stone Age Tunes
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about research that indicates that Neanderthals may have enjoyed making and listening to music. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Aging | Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Reading Glasses
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the changes in vision that result as a consequence of aging. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry
Title: Soap
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the origins and chemistry of soap. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Space Inflatables
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the use of inflatable materials for structures in space. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Nutrition | Science - Agriculture | Science - Engineering | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Space Food
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the challenges involved in providing nourishment to astronauts involved in long-term activity in space. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Science - Entomology
Title: Water Fleas
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the dangers associated with the introduction of foreign species into local ecosystems. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Physics
Title: Backwards Spinning Wheels
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the intricacies of television pictures and visual perception. The interview also explains some of the optical illusions you may have noticed when watching television. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Safety | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Science - Oceanography
Title: Zapping Fish
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about why fish generally are not electrocuted when lightning strikes the water they are swimming in. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Cracking the Genetic Code
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students research and write a feature article on the Human Genome Project. They come to understand what the knowledge of DNA can tell us about ourselves and other organisms and species, as well as learn about the systematic study of the human genome.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Philosophy - Ethics | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Ethics and Reproductive Issues: The Dilemma of Choice
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson introduces students to the ethical issues raised by three situations in which prenatal testing may be used to prevent or facilitate pregnancy. Students are asked to consider numerous ethical issues related to genetic testing and find that there are no easy answers. Most importantly, students learn that there is no one "answer" to an ethical question; rather, there exist a multitude of perspectives that must be taken into account. Ultimately, students learn that making an ethical choice requires scientific knowledge and rational inquiry.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology
Title: Food Webs in the Bay
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students research plants and animals that live in the submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) of a bay area. After researching the organisms, students do class presentations and create a food web using pictures of all of the organisms. At the end of the lesson, they discuss ideas of organisms sharing food, space, water, air, and shelter.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Frosty the Snowman Meets His Demise: An Analogy to Carbon Dating
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to develop the idea that carbon dating is based on gathering evidence in the present and extrapolating it to the past. Students use a simple graph to extrapolate data to its starting point.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Gene Puzzles
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students come to understand that in sexually reproducing organisms, such as humans, typically half of the genes come from each parent. They examine a fictional pedigree and determine which gene is responsible for a given trait.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Mitosis
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson introduces students to the step-by-step phases of mitosis in an effort to imprint on the young mind the idea that each cell is highly organized. In the lesson, students make physical representations of mitosis. Additionally, students develop and act out a skit on the phases of mitosis.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Modeling Shadows
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, one of a four-part series on the sky, students construct models to demonstrate their understanding of shadows. The lesson uses the book "Bear Shadow," by Frank Asch.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Earth science | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Objects in the Sky
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the first of a four-part series on the sky, students observe the daytime and nighttime sky. They create a journal page documenting their observations in words and pictures.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Engineering | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Putting It All Together
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students create, design, and evaluate different structures. They use Lego blocks to create several different designs and evaluate the various steps involved in creating their structures. Then, they think about possible alternative steps for building their structures.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Salt: Up Close and Personal
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students predict, observe, and explain the details of salt as they view it under a variety of magnifications. They observe salt with the naked eye, and then under a hand lens, microscope, and electron microscope (the electron image is via the Internet).
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Science - Earth science
Title: Shadows
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, one of a four-part series on the sky, students explore making shadows. They also track the movement of an object's shadow over the course of a day to look for patterns. It is best to couple this shadow activity with reading the book "Bear Shadow" and making a map of Bear's neighborhood.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Wonderful Waves
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students create a wave model. The purpose of this lesson is to demonstrate that simple models can be used to represent real world objects that are not easily brought into a classroom.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Cells 2: The Cell as a System
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students begin to understand the cell as a system by exploring a more familiar and tangible example of a system--a factory. Throughout the lesson, students compare the factory to a cell, beginning to understand how both can be thought of as a system.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Exploring Pendulums
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore Web sites with simulations of pendulums, where they are able to change the length and angle of the bob and observe its effects. They then construct and test their own controlled-falling systems, or pendulums, to further observe and verify these theories. This lesson helps students understand concepts related to how gravitational forces act on objects by exploring the motion of pendulums.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Foucault's Pendulum
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students learn how the motion of the Foucault pendulum proves that the earth is rotating. The lesson helps to expand students' concepts of motion and gravitational force.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Psychology
Title: Word Connections
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore how ideas are formed, as well as how associations are made and how they contribute to learning and memory. Students will consider where ideas come from and how people think differently.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Psychology
Title: Crayfish Reflexes
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about scientist Don Edwards' research into crayfish behavior and its potential implications for the study of human behavior disorders. Dr. Edwards' research links the crayfish's visible behaviors to changes in how its brain reacts to serotonin levels. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Psychology
Title: Word Associations
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about research into how the brain learns and remembers. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Living Through a Drought
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students practice map-reading skills. Using a drought map of Afghanistan, students learn how to recognize drought, where drought can occur, and how drought affects the people who live in those places.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: What Makes a Group?
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students use the "Afghanistan, Land in Crisis" map (available in print or online), and review the different groups in "A Patchwork of Ethnic Minorities," one of the inset maps. They examine different ways that people can be organized into groups and divide into groups to investigate similarities and differences among group members.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Through the Eyes of a Refugee
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to analyze National Geographic's "Afghanistan: Land in Crisis" map (available in print and online) to determine how the physical geography of this region affects the lifestyles of the individuals who live there. Students are asked to consider how, particularly in a time of conflict, topography influences the locations of refugee camps and the paths refugees might take to leave the area.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature
Title: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the artistry that helped make Washington Irving our nation's first literary master. They ponder the mystery of what happened to Ichabod Crane, a mystery that now haunts every Halloween.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Can You Haiku?
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Description: In this unit of three lessons, from EDSITEment, students learn the rules and conventions of haiku. They study examples by Japanese masters and create haiku of their own.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States History
Title: What Makes a Hero?
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Description: In this unit of eight lessons, from EDSITEment, students explore heroes and the traits that make them heroic. Students begin by thinking about their own heroes and list the character traits their heroes possess. Students then explore kid heroes, adults' heroes, local heroes, and heroes from history, before completing one of several suggested culminating activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - World History
Title: What Was Columbus Thinking?
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Description: In this unit of eight lessons, from EDSITEment, students read excerpts from Christopher Columbus's letters and journals, as well as recent considerations of his achievements. Students reflect on the motivations behind Columbus's explorations, his reactions to what he found, and the consequences, intended and unintended, of his endeavor.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Play with Words: Rhyme & Verse
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Description: In this unit of six lessons, from EDSITEment, students use their senses to experience poetry. Students listen to poems and rhymes, clap out syllables, and sing along with familiar tunes. They also use puppets and crafts to help recall and retell favorite poems. Finally, students experience the joy of crafting their own original poems.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Filmmaking | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Scripting the Past: Exploring Women's History Through Film
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Description: In this lesson from EDSITEment, students employ the screenwriter's craft to gain a fresh perspective on historical research, learning how filmmakers combine scholarship and imagination to bring historical figures to life and how the demands of cinematic storytelling can shape our view of the past. Working in small groups, students examine a figure in women's history through the lens of filmmaking, producing a screenplay based on an autobiographical narrative and their own research into the time period in which that autobiography is set.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Can Captive Breeding Save Species?
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, focuses on programs that strive to preserve biodiversity. This includes captive-breeding programs and species-survival plans adopted by zoos, aquariums, and other institutions. This lesson asks students to research and assess these programs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Earthquakes and Volcanoes
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students compare maps of plate tectonics with population density maps and analyze what these maps imply about the relationship between population and seismic hazards. They also research specific volcanoes or earthquake zones and write pretend letters to residents of these areas describing the risks.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Elementary Ecosystems
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students are introduced to the basics of species interdependency within an ecosystem. They perform a simple simulation to see how one species can affect many others. For older students, the term "ecosystem" can be defined and used in the lesson.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Fast Food Around the World
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students use the Internet or the library to research the cultures of four other countries. Research results are then compiled into a plan for a fast-food restaurant in each of the countries, tailoring the restaurant to the cultural tastes of people in those countries.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Getting Involved in War
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to the reasons why the United States became involved in World War II and asks them to consider the reasons Japan decided to attack Pearl Harbor. Students view a detailed interactive map showing the events at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and conclude by writing statements that Japanese and American service people might have made immediately before and after the attack.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: How Crowded Are Our States?
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students combine information from statistics and maps to find out about world and national population characteristics. They determine which countries and states appear to be particularly crowded and which states are sparsely populated. They conclude by discussing what it might be like to live in a very crowded or a very sparsely populated state.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Interpreting Population Statistics
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students are introduced to population statistics such as birth, death, and literacy rates. They compare these indicators for several countries, graph the results, and hypothesize about what their graphs indicate about the countries.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Natural Hazard Risks in the United States
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students examine specific locations of high risk for various natural hazards, assess why these hazards exist where they do, and investigate what towns and cities are doing to prepare for a natural disaster. In the process, students will practice their research and map-analysis skills.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography
Title: People and Endangered Species
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students examine some endangered species and the ways that human activities contribute to species endangerment. Students are asked to devise their own species protection plans.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Comparative Political Systems | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Population Issues in China and India
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students examine population control practices of India and China. Students gather population statistics for these two countries, read about population issues in both places, and determine whether India should adopt a one-child policy like the one implemented by the Chinese government.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Seasons: Why it's Essential
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students review the basics of the seasons and design their own monuments to keep track of and commemorate the seasons. In the process, students review their understanding of the science behind the seasons and learn some theories about monuments such as Stonehenge and Medicine Wheel.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: The Legacy of Pearl Harbor
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and asks them to consider the reasons why Japan might have wanted to expand its territory in the early 1940s. They also consider the reasons why the United States would have kept warships in Pearl Harbor. Students conclude by reading some firsthand accounts of what it was like in Pearl Harbor during the attack and by writing letters to American service people who were there.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Geology | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Ring of Fire
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students improve their understanding of the theory of plate tectonics and the Earth's geological history as they investigate the region known as the Ring of Fire. They view an animation of the Earth's tectonic history, draw maps predicting what the Ring of Fire region will look like in one hundred million years, and write paragraphs explaining what they have drawn.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Three Little Pigs in Earthquake Land
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students are introduced to some of the basics of earthquakes and volcanoes. They are also asked to think about how people living in cities and suburbs must plan ahead by constructing sturdy buildings and preparing their homes and themselves for the possibility of a natural disaster. Students are therefore introduced to some basic concepts of physical geography, as well as some of the ways in which the physical environment affects people's lives.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Comparative Political Systems | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: Unions and Alliances
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students focus on the United Nations, learning about this organization's functions, purposes, and the broad geographical range of its members. Then students are then asked to apply the concepts behind the UN's mission to their own school, creating an alliance of students or school groups.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Was the United States Ready for Pearl Harbor?
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students consider the United States' level of preparedness for the Pearl Harbor attack and discuss what the U.S. could have done to be better prepared. Students conclude by writing letters to American military commanders in the summer of 1941, suggesting what they might do to prepare for a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: What's Your Territory?
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students consider how they, their parents, and even their pets define and defend their personal spaces or territory. They discuss the reasons that countries sometimes fight over territories. Students conclude by drawing pictures and by writing sentences describing scenarios in which territories are threatened.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Why Preserve Biodiversity?
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Description: In this lesson, students discuss the importance of maintaining ecosystems and find out about the various arguments that people make in favor of preserving the Earth's biodiversity. They write essays in which they explain what they feel are the most compelling reasons for preserving biodiversity and also describe the arguments they think would be most likely to convince the general public that biodiversity should be preserved.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Population Pasta
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Description: In this student activity, from Xpeditions, students investigate population statistics. Using different types of pasta to represent different numbers of people, students experiment with using graphs, maps, and more to illustrate the population densities of various countries.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Preserving Biodiversity
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Description: In this student activity from, Xpeditions, students take on the role of zoo director with a mission to teach people about the importance of biodiversity. Students examine maps and then create their own map that illustrates areas of the world where endangered species are found.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Space Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Red Album
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Description: In this student activity, from Xpeditions, students are assigned the task of helping NASA plan its next missions to Mars--a great frontier in modern exploration. A variety of activity options are presented for young students, older students, parents, and teachers.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States History
Title: More Amazing Americans: A WebQuest
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students use the "Meet Amazing Americans" Web site created by the Library of Congress to explore the lives of some celebrated Americans. Working in small groups, they complete a WebQuest, identifying facts and locating different types of information in order to determine the criteria used for selecting these "Amazing Americans." In addition, they nominate their own candidates for the title of "Amazing American," using additional Web sites to create a profile of their nominee.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Science - Physics
Title: Solar Brightness
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Description: In this Science Snack activity from the Exploratorium, students make a simple photometer and use it to estimate the power output of the sun. Science Snacks are miniature versions of some of the Exploratorium's most popular exhibits, which teachers can make using common, inexpensive, easily available materials. Each snack includes a materials list, photographs, assembly and use instructions, and background information. This Web page is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson, "Converting Energy."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: A Pirate's Life
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces students to some basics about pirates, including what they wore, where they worked, and how they lived. Students explore Web sites to examine pirate characteristics and lifestyles. They then use what they've learned to design pirate costumes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Pirate Archaeology
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson has students read and answer questions about pirates and the areas where piracy was the most common. They gain an understanding of where pirates worked and what their motivations were. The lesson asks students to consider where they might look for sunken pirate ships and what they would expect to find on such ships. To conclude, students pretend to be historians seeking funding for expeditions to search for pirate ships, and write up their plans.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Journalism | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Piracy: A Continuing Problem
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to compare and contrast piracy in its "golden age" with modern piracy. They learn where piracy is practiced today and write reports pretending they are on an international anti-piracy commission, describing the similarities and differences between modern and historical piracy and proposing some solutions to modern piracy problems.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Physics
Title: Tracking the Movement of Sunspots
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, one of a three-part unit on using scientific tools to gather information about the universe, students collect one of two types of images gathered by the SOHO satellite currently circling the sun about one million miles from earth. Over a two-week period, students obtain images directly from SOHO's official site on the Web and track the movement of sunspots using a latitude/longitude grid.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science
Title: Predicting Earthquakes
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the development of a tool designed to predict California's next big earthquake. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Environmental Health | Science - Agriculture | Science - Chemistry | Science - Ecology
Title: Lawn Nitrates
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how nitrates used as lawn fertilizer can be dangerous to the environment and human health. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Debate | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Speech | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address: We Must Not Be Enemies
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Description: The focus for this six-lesson EDSITEment unit is on the address given by Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration as U.S. President. His address reflected contemporary events and set the tone for his presidency. This series of lessons aims to help students to understand the historical context and significance of Lincoln's inaugural address through archival documents such as campaign posters, sheet music, vintage photographs and documents. Students also learn how to apply this historical research process to the interpretation of any President's inaugural address.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Making Light of Science
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson, the first in a three-part series on light, is to introduce students to the electromagnetic spectrum, focusing on visible light. Students are introduced to the idea that all light travels as waves, and that wavelength defines the various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Physics
Title: The Lighter Side of Color
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the second of a three-part series on light, focuses on the idea that we can see objects because they either emit or reflect light. It discusses the way light is reflected, absorbed, and scattered to allow certain wavelengths to reach the eye, leading to a perception of different colors. It is an introductory exploration and would be best if complemented with hands-on activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Reading in the Dark
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science
NetLinks, you'll hear about the possible effects of reading in low light. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Sink It
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson is designed to develop students' understanding of sinking and floating. Students first classify a group of common objects by a characteristic of their own choosing. Then they reclassify the same group of objects by their predictions about whether each item will float or sink in water. As a group, they design an experiment to test their predictions (hypotheses).
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Math Forum: Measurement Resources
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Description: This resource, located on the Math Forum Web site, provides a list of resources for teaching various types of measurement, including length, area, and volume. Resources include lessons, activities, projects, and various other Internet resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: How Fast Are You?
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Description: This page, from the Neuroscience for Kids Web site, features an activity to test reaction time. This project does not test a simple reflex. Rather, this activity is designed to measure your response time to something that you see. This resource is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson, "Reaction Time."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Tessellation Tutorials
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Description: These tutorials integrate art and geometry by showing students how to create tessellations with the aid of various graphics software programs. This resource is referenced in the EDSITEment lesson titled "Architecture and Nature."
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Science - Oceanography
Title: Under the Deep Blue Sea
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students have the opportunity to explore oceans and ocean life. After locating the earth's major oceans on a world map, students "dive underwater" to discover the plants and animals that live in the sea. Students listen to stories and poems with oceanic settings and learn about the forms of sea life featured in each. They can add their own artwork and text about ocean animals and plants to a cut-away ocean display. Finally, students engage in various forms of creative writing about the ocean and ocean life.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Stories in Quilts
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Description: This unit of four lessons, from EDSITEment, explores the history and culture of quilt-making. Quilts can be works of art as well as tell stories through pictures. Quilts tell stories that reflect the lives of the people who create them, and they record the cultural history of a particular place and time.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Back in the Olden Days
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students discuss what it might have been like when, and where, their parents and grandparents grew up. The students conduct interviews to see if their guesses were right. They conclude by drawing pictures of their relatives living in this time and place.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: How's the Weather Today?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to think about the weather in their area and introduces them to weather and temperature trends in different latitudes of the United States. Students examine maps, record temperatures, and draw pictures showing different weather conditions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: International Alliances
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students discover the history, mission, function, and geographical range of six international alliances. Students research opposing viewpoints concerning these alliances and consider the reasons why some people want to reform or disband these organizations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Planning a Road Trip
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson reviews latitude and longitude and asks students to find the latitude and longitude for several United States cities. The students create "road trip quizzes" to test their classmates' ability to figure out locations based on their latitude and longitude.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Safety | Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Prepare Yourself!
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces U.S. students to natural hazards that occur across their country and in their home region. They learn where tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, or severe thunderstorms are likely to occur and find out which type of event is most likely to happen near their home.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Products Across Borders
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students identify foreign products available in the United States and learn about U.S. companies that sell products abroad. They discuss globalization and illustrate two maps to show where products come from and where they're sold.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Pros and Cons of Transnational Alliances
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to consider the potential impacts of transnational organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union. Students consider the benefits of these organizations in existing nations and for a fictitious nation that is trying to decide whether to join an alliance of countries on its continent.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Sun and the Earth
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the relationship between the Earth and the Sun and how this relationship affects observable phenomena on Earth, such as the change of seasons. This activity serves to reinforce these concepts by having students diagram the Earth and Sun during different seasons.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Where in the World Would You Like to Live?
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students compare thematic maps of the continents and the world as a whole to determine where they would like to live. They view several online thematic maps and conclude by writing paragraphs describing the three places in the world they think they'd most like to live.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Why It's Essential
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students examine the differences between seasons in their region. In addition to temperature variations and seasonal household chores, students explore subtle differences, such as changes in foods available at the market and the length of the days.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Story Telling | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Fairy Tales, Then and Now
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students read an old fairy tale or story and list the geographical features and characters described in the story. They then think about how the story might be updated to reflect their own modern setting and culture and conclude by performing an updated version of the story.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Story Telling | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - World History
Title: Aesop and Ananse: Animal Fables and Trickster Tales
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Description: In this two-lesson unit, from EDSITEment, students become familiar with fables and trickster tales from different cultural traditions. They explore how folktales employ animals in different ways to portray human strengths and weaknesses and how this wisdom is passed down from one generation to the next. These lessons introduce students to the world of folklore and explore how folktales convey the perspectives of world cultures.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Story Telling | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - World History
Title: Fables and Trickster Tales Around the World
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Description: This unit of four lessons, from EDSITEment, introduces students to folktales, such as fables and trickster tales, from around the world. Students become familiar with different folklore traditions and genres, as well as the process of the oral transmission of culture and history.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - World History
Title: Exploring Arthurian Legend
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Description: In this lesson from EDSITEment, students examine the historical origins of the Arthurian legend. Students gain insight into the use of literature as historical evidence. Through the references and links in this lesson, students can track the growth of a legend like that of King Arthur, from its emergence in the Medieval Ages to its arrival on the silver screen.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Geography Skills and Your Town
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students relate the five themes of geography (location, place, human/environment interaction, movement, and regions) to their own home town. Students first gather information about their town and then create books, Web sites, or multimedia presentations showcasing their town's unique features.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: What Is Geography?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces students to the five themes of geography. Students work in groups to analyze a Web site to locate information about a particular country or region, then create presentations showing how the geographic concepts described in the themes can be used to help solve environmental problems.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Geography and Your Dream Job
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students visit the Globe Projector exhibit in Xpedition Hall and explore the different types of map projections. Students also use their critical thinking skills to consider different careers that would require geographic knowledge and decide what projection would serve them best for each.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Cells 1: Make a Model Cell
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students compare a plant and animal cell and then make a model of a cell. They select items to represent various cell structures and justify their choices by describing how the items they have chosen represent the actual parts of a cell.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: A Matter of Pattern
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students create and predict patterns formed when making paper snowflakes. Through this lesson, students develop an appreciation of how elements in a pattern relate to one another.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Earth Movers
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore plate tectonics and come to understand how mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes are related to the movements of plates.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Adventures in Statistics
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Description: This resource is a mathematics project involving the area of classrooms, which incorporates measurement, graphing, computation, data analysis, and presentation of results. Students measure their own classroom and the other classrooms in their school, then compile and compute the data to find out if their classroom is larger or smaller than average. Four reproducible worksheets are included with this activity. This resource is referenced in the Illuminations lesson, "Exploration of a Balance."
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Germs and the Body
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson explores germs--where they exist, how they can get into and affect the body, and how the body defends itself against them. It also addresses a common misconception that students of all ages may have--that factors important to health are beyond their personal control. In studying bacteria, students also learn preventative measures they can take to stay healthy.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject:
Title: Sound Sketch Tool
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Description: This student interactive allows students to sketch and quantify sound using two different representations. Students can write and play musical tones using this interactive tool.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Isometric Drawing Tool
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Description: Create dynamic drawings on isometric dot paper with this interactive tool. Draw 2-D and 3-D figures using edges, faces, or cubes that you can shift, rotate, color, or decompose.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: PBS Mathline: The Abacus
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Description: In this lesson, from PBS Mathline, students are introduced to Japanese and Chinese abacuses. Students will use the abacus to display numbers and calculate sums. Students will also compare the abacus, the calculator, and mental computation to determine the tool that produces the fastest correct answer. This resource contains links to student worksheets in Adobe Acrobat format. This Web site is referenced in the ARTSEDGE lesson titled "The Abacus."
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: It Came From Greek Mythology
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Description: In this unit of six lessons, from EDSITEment, students study basic plots of three Greek myths and discuss three common themes in Greek myths. They also explore contemporary uses of terms from Greek mythology and analyze artistic and literary works based on or inspired by Greek myths.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Speech | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Live from Ancient Olympia!
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students have an opportunity to develop "live interviews" with ancient athletes that reflect an understanding of the beliefs that underlay the ancient Olympic Games. In addition, students learn about the city of Olympia and its Games, read stories about ancient athletes, and analyze the qualities to which praise or blame was attached among ancient Olympic athletes.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Shakespeare's Macbeth: Fear and the "Dagger of the Mind"
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Description: This EDSITEment lesson is designed to help students understand how Shakespeare's language dramatizes one such emotion: fear. Students work in small groups to perform the so-called "banquet scene," in which the newly-crowned Macbeth, while entertaining the lords of Scotland, encounters a ghost only he can see. The twist here is that while there are opportunities for students to analyze Shakespeare's language, the performance itself is done without words. The wordless performance means that students need to develop physical equivalents for the clues to Macbeth's state of mind that are embedded in Shakespeare's poetry.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States History
Title: On the Home Front
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Description: In this unit of four EDSITEment lessons, students investigate how non-combatants contributed to the war effort during World War II and are then invited to reflect on how young people can contribute to the solution of contemporary national problems. Students also investigate how posters were used to encourage home front efforts during World War II.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Balancing Three Branches at Once: Our System of Checks and Balances
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Description: In this unit of four EDSITEment lessons, students use primary source documents to investigate of how the three branches of the American government can check each other. The documents referenced in the lesson give clear examples of the balance of power in the U.S. government.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Preamble to the Constitution: How Do You Make a More Perfect Union?
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Description: In this unit of five EDSITEment lessons, students investigate the purposes of the U.S. Constitution, as identified in the Preamble to the Constitution. They also study fundamental values and principles as they are expressed in the Preamble.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Physics
Title: Foucault's Pendulum: Answer Key
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Description: This reproducible answer key, from a Science NetLinks lesson, accompanies the student activity sheet on Foucault's pendulum experiments.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: The Case of the Melting Ice: Activity Sheet
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students conduct an experiment in which they measure and record the rate of melting.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Mount St. Helens - Before and After
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. This lesson introduces the ArcView 3D analyst extension, including functions such as visualizing data in three dimensions, creating surfaces, determining what is visible from a given point, and calculating volumes. The lesson has students compare elevation models (DEMs) of Mt St. Helens before and after the 1980 eruption. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: What Do You Know About Your Fellow Americans?
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson on data files. In this lesson students will research countries from North and South America (excluding the United States) to learn more about the Americas. Students will assemble information about their assigned country. Once the information is collected, it will be entered into one ArcView theme table so the teacher (or students) can use ArcView to present all the information together to the entire class. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Building a Brick Wall
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Description: Although this Math Forum resource, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, may seem like a simple exercise, students will cover a grid, find more than one solution, and use the terms vertical and horizontal. Students learn to understand patterns and use mathematical models for representation. Students will also use their findings to create a Brick-Wall catalogue including: (1) a title for the company, (2) sketches of the possible wall designs, and (3) an explanation of how to figure out how many possible designs there are for each number of bricks to be used before repeating the design. Thus to complete the task, students examine patterns and structures to detect regularities; formulate generalizations and conjectures about observed regularities; evaluate conjectures; and construct and evaluate mathematical arguments.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Meteorology
Title: Hurricanes
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how the years 1995 to 2000 saw more hurricane activity in the North Atlantic than any five-year period on record. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Stereo Smell
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how human beings' olfactory perception in each nostril is slightly different. Researchers have determined that the slight difference in olfactory image occurs because the air flows at a different rate through each nostril. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Putting the Ice in Hockey
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore a Web site to learn that what happens at the surface of ice to give it its slippery nature can be explained by molecular motion. Students should be familiar with solids, liquids, and gases prior to this lesson.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Putting the Ice in Hockey: Student Sheet
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students answer questions about ice and its properties after viewing a Web page about the science of hockey at the Exploratorium Web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Entomology
Title: Insect Models
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore insects by making models of insects of their choice. When the models are completed, students can compare their models to the insects themselves and to pictures of the insects.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Botany
Title: Look at Those Leaves!
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson has students observe, measure, and sort tree leaves. They examine leaves individually, in groups, and in relationship to the entire tree.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Environmental Health | Science - Ecology
Title: Asian Brown Cloud
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about an effort to measure the pollution over Asia and assess its impact on humans and the environment. In developing areas of the world, including parts of Asia, rapid industrialization has brought about more cars, more factories, and more people to burn coal and wood for cooking purposes. Those activities throw a lot of soot and other pollutants into the air. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Oceanography
Title: Dolphin Brains
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about one scientist who's trying to find out how dolphins got so brainy. Lori Marino, a psychologist at Emory University and the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, is looking at how the dolphin brain evolved, specifically focusing on its size and shape. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Family and Friendship in Quilts
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Description: In this unit of three EDSITEment lessons, students recognize how people of different cultures and time periods have used cloth-based art forms to pass down their traditions and history. Quilting continues to be largely a home-based form of art, primarily engaged in by women. This unit heightens students' awareness of how quilts have reflected and continue to reflect the lives of the people who create them, and of how quilts record the cultural history of a particular place and time.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Shakespeare's Macbeth: Fear and the Motives of Evil
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students study Shakespeare's Macbeth. Students use an Internet search engine to collect instances in the play of specific key words. They then organize and analyze the passages in which these key words appear for what they reveal about Macbeth's state of mind and the motives behind his increasing evil.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Counting Fun
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Description: This resource, an interactive java game from the KidsCarnival Web site, helps students learn and practice counting. The computer generates a set of objects, and the student must choose the number that represents the amount of objects shown. If the number chosen is incorrect, the computer will respond that the correct answer is less than or greater than the answer given, and will provide the student with an opportunity to correct his or her work. The numbers chosen will stay highlighted so that the student won't choose them again.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns | Mathematics - Probability
Title: Decimals, Fractions & Percentages
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Description: The site describes a card game, reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations, that is similar to "war" but instead of using a regular deck of cards, the players use cards that have a mixture of decimals, fractions, and percentages. (The teacher will have to construct the cards.) The teacher can choose to make the game more difficult by not including all three representations of the value on a card. The game itself may help students understand the concepts of equality and inequality among decimals, fractions, and percents. And, students may practice with the visualization of the numbers as well as practice deciding on the most efficient representation of a number to use for various situations. An alternative version of the game provides students with the opportunity to indirectly use reasoning regarding probability. Students make guesses on the value of a number being drawn from the deck as being higher, lower, or in-between two previously drawn cards by the nature of those cards. For example, a student may conclude that it is more likely to draw a card of a greater value than 1/3 or 1/5 (the two previously drawn cards) than it is to draw one of a lesser or in-between value. These games may be a fun way for students to become more familiar with various representations of the same number.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Don't Fall In
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Description: This resource, from the "Figure This!" Web site, provides an hands-on activity wherein students explore the nature of polygons to discover why manholes are round. Then, a discussion of the Reuleaux Triangle introduces students to considering the potential of other shapes to work as manhole covers and is followed up by related questions. Interesting background information and other resources are also provided. This resource can be printed out in Adobe Acrobat format.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Exploring Pascal's Triangle
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Description: This resource, reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, located on the Math Forum Web site, contains a number of activities and discussion questions to be used with Pascal's Triangle. The hint section includes links to pages giving information about patterns related to Fibonacci numbers, triangular numbers, tetrahedral numbers, hexagonal numbers, powers of 2, powers of 11, Sierpinski's triangle, binomial coefficients, and more. The Math Forum site includes extensive collections of lesson plans, activities, and other resources for teaching math.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Fraction Games
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Description: This resource, from the Math Forum Web site, is an activity to help students see fractions as parts of the whole. Students use fraction pieces in a game format to gain a better understanding of equivalent fractions. A worksheet is available in both ClarisWorks or Adobe Acrobat formats. The Math Forum site includes extensive collections of lesson plans, activities, and other resources for teaching math.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Place Value Game
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Description: This lesson introduces a card game that helps students conceptualize place value. Using a standard deck of playing cards and an easy-to-make playing mat, students practice number value, place value, and strategy skills.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Population WebQuest
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Description: In this activity, reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, students are asked to search the Internet to find information about United States population statistics. The mathematical focus of this activity is on finding percents. Students are asked to find statistics about the population based on sex, race, births and deaths per year, number of households, and education levels. Finally, students are asked to summarize all of the information collected in an organized and creative manner. To summarize their findings, students may use graphs, charts, and any other forms of visual aids.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Problem Solving Unit
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Description: This Web-based unit introduces students to a wide range of problem-solving strategies. Students investigate real problems through a variety of Web sites and group activities. They become familiar with eight strategies and practice using these strategies while using the Internet to obtain information, analyze data, make decisions, and apply problem-solving skills to find solutions to real-life situations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Helping Your Child Learn Math
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Description: This resource, from the U.S. Department of Education, includes a variety of activities that will help children learn and apply mathematical concepts such as geometry, algebra, measurement, statistics, and probability in a useful and fun way. All of the activities in this book relate math to everyday life and complement many of the math lessons that children are learning in school. These fun activities are geared to the parent and use materials that are easy to find. They can be done in the home, at the grocery store, while traveling, or just for the fun of it.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Mathcar Racing
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Description: This resource, on the FunBrain.com Web site, is a game that not only provides practice for arithmetic skills but also challenges students' logic and reasoning abilities. The student selects a problem from the matrix and is awarded the sum of the expression. At the end of the game the student with the highest score or the most laps around the racetrack wins. In order to win consistently, students must develop a strategy to play defensively as well as offensively. FunBrain.com has many activities for students, parents, and teachers, including games and a quiz lab.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Math Forum
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Description: This site, reviewed for grades Pre-K-2 by Illuminations, has something for everybody. It is divided into four main sections: Student Center, Teachers' Place, Research Division, and Parents & Citizens. In the Student Center there are weekly challenges, a section where students can get help on homework by asking Dr Math, and other activities that encourage students to use the Internet in a productive way. In the Teachers' Place there are a collection of lesson plans, various Internet activities and projects, and discussion forums that provide many resources for communication with other teachers and links to professional organizations. A highlight of the site is the various "Problem of the Week" features that are widely used by classroom teachers. Also of note is a section of the site devoted to mathematics software. The Research Division is primarily for mathematicians looking for research information, software, job opportunities, and a place to talk to other mathematicians. The Parents & Citizens section provides good resources for parents to encourage and help their students.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Math in the Home
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Description: This resource, created by the US Department of Education, is designed to bring math into everyday activities in the home. The underlying concept is that the home is full of opportunities to explore math with children, to build their self-confidence and understanding of mathematical ideas, and to foster connections between mathematics and the real world. Teachers who wish to foster home/school connections may either refer parents to this page or incorporate the ideas into take-home flyers.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Online Pattern Blocks
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Description: Teachers and math educators can use this Web site, reviewed for grades Pre-K-2 by Illuminations, to illustrate how to use online pattern blocks in the classroom. The site presents a collection of kindergarten artwork created using the following Web site:Pattern Blocks Additional instructions on how to use the Java applet are provided in the link, as well as using pattern blocks in fractions. Pattern blocks have long been a favorite tool for teachers to explore mathematical concepts, including geometry, fractions, and (of course) patterns. This artwork collection illustrates how teachers can use online pattern blocks as another avenue for students to explore the spatial and rotational properties of geometric shapes as well as the relationships between various figures. For example, during the activity the kindergarten students learned how to place pattern blocks on the grid and rotate them. They also discovered that two triangles will cover the rhombus and six triangles will cover the hexagon.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Regular Tessellations
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Description: This resource is an online activity in which students use a java applet to explore the properties of regular polygons by creating their own tessellations. Students are asked to explain what they did to get their tessellation and to explore similar types of tessellations using pattern blocks. After exploring the tessellations created with only one equilateral triangle, students are asked to predict whether a square or a regular hexagon will tessellate. Finally, students are asked to predict and justify why other regular polygons will (or will not) tessellate regularly in the Euclidean plane.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Cubes
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, helps students explore the volume of a box based on the amount of unit cubes that can fit inside of it. They are prompted to come up with a rule for determining the volume of a box when its width, depth, and height are known.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Religion - Christianity | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Ancient Flood Stories
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students discuss ancient flood stories, including the story of Noah's Ark. They also discuss the evidence of a flood that's been found in the Black Sea. Students then write stories about what it might have been like immediately before and during this flood.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: The Geometry of Structures
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Description: These lessons, from the Hands-On Technology Program, include excellent activities for exploring the attributes of geometrical figures. The activities range from investigating the strength of shapes to comparing various volumes, and could be used for a portfolio on developing students' understanding of geometrical concepts.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: The Shadow of the Dog
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Description: This resource, from the Practical Uses of Math and Science (PUMAS) project at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA, discusses an activity to teach geometry with the use of shadows. Students observe the changes shadows undergo throughout the day and use string to create different angles while trying to discover why shadow sizes and directions change throughout the day. This resource includes a description of the activity in pdf (Adobe Acrobat) and Microsoft Word formats.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Consumer Health | Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Ecology
Title: Water Wasters
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Description: This lesson plan, reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations, is the basic outline of an activity that involves students using math in relation to investigating the world. Students are to work in groups to determine how much water is wasted if a person leaves the water running while brushing his or her teeth. The lesson recommends providing a toothbrush for one student in each group. While this student is brushing his or her teeth, the water is left running and the other two students work on collecting and tallying the running water by using empty milk cartons. Then, students are to use the data they have collected to solve various problems. However, only a sample problem is provided with this lesson. This activity can be used in conjunction with environmental issues while building skills in data analysis and problem solving.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Those Fussy Dinosaurs!
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students discuss the idea that animals prefer certain types of habitats over others and, in fact, cannot live in places that are too different from what they prefer. In this case, they focus on dinosaurs. They learn about the types of habitats and climates scientists believe dinosaurs tended to prefer and conclude by drawing background scenes to use in a toy dinosaur's "home."
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: International Food Court
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the characteristics of the world's regions by investigating the types of food that are common in those regions. They also conduct research to find out about the climate, landscape, and cultures of a few countries. They compile their findings into a plan for an international food court in a local mall.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Which Direction Should I Go?
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students review and practice their knowledge of compass directions. They do several brief exercises to practice using directions in their community and on maps, and they conclude by creating a treasure hunt for other students to take.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Buffon's Needle
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Description: This site, reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, analyzes one of the oldest problems in the field of geometrical probability, Buffon' Needle. It involves dropping a needle on a lined sheet of paper and allowing students to determine the probability of the needle crossing one of the lines on the page. As students analyze the problem, they should notice that there is a direct relationship to the value of pi. In addition to presenting background information and an analytical solution, the site also includes a Java applet simulating Buffon's Needle. This is an able exploration of an important problem in geometrical probability
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Fill It Up!
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Description: Estimation is the focus of this Figure This! activity, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations. The question is to estimate which cylinder will hold the most popcorn. The two cylinders are each made from an 8 ˝ by 11 sheet of paper. Each cylinder is made with one side of the sheet, so that one cylinder is tall and skinny and the other cylinder is short and round. The "Answer" section shows two ways of determining the answer. One way to determine the answer is by actually making the cylinders and filling them up with popcorn to see which has the most popcorn. The other way is to calculate the volume of each cylinder to see which has the largest volume. The formula for volume is given. In the "Try These" and "Think About This" section, some interesting and challenging questions are asked that could be good discussion questions on estimation, or you just might want to use the problem during your class! The site is a bit slow at times, so be patient.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Find the Area of the Shape
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Description: Reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations, this site contains an applet that explores ways of deriving the area of different shapes. Using this online applet, students can explore the shapes and figure out the formula for area themselves. This method helps them form an understanding of what area is and what it represents. It also provides an interactive alternative to simply "telling" students the formulas for area. The Web site examines the area of various shapes including parallelograms, triangles, trapezoids, and circles.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Quilting: The Story of the Underground Railroad
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students use the Internet to research the dangers that escaping slaves faced along the Underground Railroad and the factors that helped the slaves make it to freedom. They conclude by designing quilts describing what they have learned.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: John Brown and the Underground Railroad
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students analyze John Brown's attitudes and actions against slavery. They then compare Brown's views with those of other people who were active in the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement. They write journal entries pretending they are Underground Railroad conductors who have adopted John Brown's values and tactics. They write additional paragraphs explaining whether they think they would have been more in agreement with Brown or with pacifist abolitionists.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Gene Puzzles Activity
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Description: This reproducible activity, from a Science NetLinks lesson, is designed to help students build an understanding of how offspring inherit genes from their parents.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: About a Line and a Triangle
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Description: This lesson from the Cut-the-Knot Web site, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, features a java applet that allows students to rotate a line around the three vertices of a triangle. Students use the applet to practice geometric analysis, measurement, and problem solving skills. Read a review of the resource on the Illuminations site where you can access the resource directly.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Fibonacci Bamboozlement
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Description: This applet, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, explores "bamboozlement," a term suggested by Greg Frederickson to describe the rearrangement of pieces of one shape to form another shape apparently of a different area. As the number of unit squares is decreased, it becomes more obvious how you are being bamboozled. While there is no instructional framing for the activity, this could be a very interesting challenge problem for students to explore.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Explaining DNA Student Sheet
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Description: In this reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students create a poster about DNA. Required materials, poster criteria, and Web sites with information are listed on the page.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Physics
Title: Sound Wave
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, helps students understand the mathematical models used to represent sound. Students come to understand the origins of the terms pitch, tone, frequency, and intensity, as well as explore the dynamics of a sound wave.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: PBS: America Quilts
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Description: This resource, from PBS, is a Web site called America Quilts. America Quilts examines quilts from three perspectives-as historical records, symbols of family and community, and works of art. A stunning kaleidoscope of colors and patterns reflects the variety and intensity of this art form, and the artists who created them are as varied as the patterns in their quilts. The America Quilts Web site is referenced in the Illuminations lesson "Paper Quilts."
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: All
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Quilting With Children
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Description: This resource, Quilting with Children, is a Web site that provides ideas, techniques, and resources to aid in making quilts with children. Also provided are links to the Web sites of other educators, troop leaders, and parents who have done quilt-making projects. The Quilting With Children Web site is referenced in the Illuminations lesson "Paper Quilts."
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: All
Subject: Science - Biology
Title: Comparing a Cell to a Factory: Student Sheet
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students read about workers in a factory and then name the organelle that functions most like the factory worker described in the column in the chart.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biology
Title: Comparing a Cell to a Factory: Answer Key
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Description: This answer sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, provides correct responses to a student sheet wherein students had to name a cell part that functions most like a factory worker.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Poet's Voice: Langston Hughes and You
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Description: This unit of seven lessons, from EDSITEment, introduces students to a poet's "voice." Students develop a general definition of voice in poetry, and analyze and appreciate the poetic voice of Langston Hughes in particular. Included are writing and discussion activities, in which students either write a poem expressing their own voice (as developed in a journal), or write about one of the qualities of Langston Hughes's poetic voice (as explored in class discussion).
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Slave Narratives: Constructing U.S. History Through Analyzing Primary Sources
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students research narratives from the Federal Writers' Project and describe the lives of former African slaves in the U.S., both before and after Emancipation. From varied stories, students sample the breadth of individual experiences, make generalizations about the effects of slavery and Reconstruction on African Americans, and evaluate primary source documents.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - World History
Title: Egyptian Symbols and Figures: Hieroglyphs
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Description: This lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, introduces students to the writing, art, and religious beliefs of ancient Egypt through hieroglyphs, one of the oldest writing systems in the world, and through tomb paintings. The class creates a pictorial alphabet of its own and then learns and uses the symbols of the Egyptian hieroglyphic alphabet.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature
Title: Listening to Poetry: Sounds of the Sonnet
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, introduces students to the formal terms used to describe sonnets. The central focus throughout is on learning to appreciate the sounds of poetry. By focusing on the sounds of poetry, the lesson seeks to demonstrate that there is an underlying sense of form or structure at work in language, whether we happen to know the names for the formal elements of poetry or not. Included in the lesson are seven sound experiments, designed to help students understand how form, meter, and rhythm all combine to shape our experience of poetry and the meanings we derive from it.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lewis and Clark: Building a Lasting Legacy
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students discuss the significant contributions made by Native Americans and other team members during the Lewis and Clark expedition. Students draw or make a diorama that focuses on the geographic perspective of the expedition. Teachers should conduct the lesson after students study Lewis and Clark, or after they see the large-format film "Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West."
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lewis and Clark: Facing Challenges--Real and Imagined
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students consider how they perceive geographic features and obstacles and how the Lewis and Clark expedition members might have done so. If possible, begin the lesson before your students see the large-format film "Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West," and finish it after they have seen the movie.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lewis and Clark: Same Place, Different Perspectives
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students write about several encounters between the Lewis and Clark expedition and various Native American groups from the viewpoint of an expedition member or one of the Native Americans. Students can view the large-format film "Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West" before or after the lesson.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lewis and Clark: Why Explore the Vast Unknown?
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson about the Lewis and Clark expedition, students interpret a map of the West as it was known at the time, learn what President Thomas Jefferson asked Meriwether Lewis to accomplish, and explain why the expedition was important for the future of the country. This lesson can be conducted before watching the large-format film "Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West."
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Animal Adaptations
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Description: In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students participate in classroom discussions about animals. They also visit a Web site to learn more about animals and how well (or poorly) they've adapted to satisfying their needs in their natural habitats. These activities will help move them toward the goal, in later grades, of understanding ecosystems.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Classify That!
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Description: In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students get acquainted with diverse forms of life by using modern biological classification systems to group animals that are related. Students learn about basic scientific groupings like genus, species, mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. One of the Web sites featured in this lesson allows them to pair different vertebrate animals and learn more about their common traits. By doing this, students begin to classify organisms in a more sophisticated way.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Introducing Atoms
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the first in a four-part series on static electricity, students are asked to review Web sites to learn about the atom's basic structure and the positive and negative charges of its subparticles. This lesson lays the groundwork for further study of static and current electricity by focusing on the idea of positive and negative charges at the atomic level.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Graph Creator
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Description: This Illuminations resource is a java applet that allows students to draw and manipulate graphs. This interactive math activity is available both online and in downloadable format.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Introducing Static Electricity
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Description: In this lesson, one of a four-part series on static electricity from Science NetLinks, students perform some simple experiments creating static electricity. They demonstrate how opposite charges attract each other and like charges repel each other. Then students explore a Web site that further explains these concepts.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: More About Static Electricity
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Description: In this lesson, one of a four-part series on static electricty from Science NetLinks, students explore a Web site to investigate concepts related to static electricity. They then perform experiments in which they create static electricity and demonstrate how opposite charges attract each other and like charges repel each other.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biology | Science - Chemistry
Title: Tomato Mold
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a researcher who's helping tomato plants fight back against black mold, a fungus that destroys them. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Animal Adaptations: Student Sheet
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students visit a Web site and research an animal from each of the continents. They note the climate of each continent as well as three adaptations that allow the animal to survive in that environment.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Introducing Atoms
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students visit two Web sites and answer questions about elements, atoms, and subatomic particles.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Introducing Static Electricity
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students visit two Web sites and then answer questions about atoms, subatomic particles, and charges.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Stuck-up Balloon/Dancing Balloon
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Description: In this reproducible activity, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students use balloons to demonstrate the effects of positive and negative charges on materials.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: More About Static Electricity
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students visit a Web site and answer questions about static electricity, and then visit two more Web sites where they learn and perform simple experiments to demonstrate the effects of static electricity.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lewis and Clark Expedition: Create Your Own Adventure
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Description: In this student activity, from Xpeditions, students relive the spirit of Lewis and Clark by planning their own expedition. The Lewis and Clark Expedition of two hundred years ago embodied a spirit of adventure, curiosity, and exploration that is as exciting today as it was in the early 1800s. To capture that spirit, students imagine a journey through an unknown place. They choose a place that they have never visited, but would love to explore. Together with their family, students plan out their trip, imagining what they would like to learn, how they would travel, and what obstacles they might encounter along the way.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Ecology | Science - Geology
Title: Zeolites
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a way to trap and seal up toxic waste using zeolites, a family of cage-like molecules. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lewis and Clark Expedition Routes
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Description: This map, from Xpeditions, illustrates both the westward and eastward travels of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Professional Development - Instructional Issues | Educational Technology - Educational Media | Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Xpeditions
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Description: Xpeditions is home to the U.S. National Geography Standards--and to thousands of ideas, tools, and interactive adventures that bring them to life. Xpeditions offers a wealth of resources to assist in teaching and learning about the world. Xpeditions is a member of the Marco Polo Consortium.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Challenges of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
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Description: This image gallery, from Xpeditions, presents photographs and information about some of the real challenges that the Lewis and Clark Expedition faced during their trek. Users can click on each photograph to learn more about that particular challenge.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Botany
Title: Plants of the Bay
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Description: This reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains research guidelines for students to follow as they investigate organisms that reside in the aquatic vegetation of a bay area.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Animals of the Bay
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Description: This reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains research guidelines for students to follow as they investigate animals that reside in the aquatic vegetation of a bay area.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts
Title: A Trip to Wonderland: The Nursery 'Alice'
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, explores elements of wonder, distortion, fantasy, and whimsy in Lewis Carroll's beloved classic "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." After exploring their concepts about Wonderland, students listen to the opening chapters of "The Nursery 'Alice,'" Carroll's adaptation for younger readers, and view Sir John Tenniel's illustrations from the original edition. Then students listen to Carroll's whimsical poetry and write whimsical verses of their own.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature
Title: A Trip to Wonderland: The Nursery 'Alice'
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, explores elements of wonder, distortion, fantasy, and whimsy in "The Nursery 'Alice'," Lewis Carroll's adaptation for younger readers of his beloved classic "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." After exploring their concepts about Wonderland, students listen to the opening chapters of the story and view Sir John Tenniel's illustrations from the original edition. Using images of "big" and "small" from Alice's experiences, students develop these concepts in their own drawings. Students then compare Carroll's fantastic animals with creatures from other children's stories and use computers to craft images of their own fantasy creatures.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - World History
Title: Animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Description: In this unit of four lessons, from EDSITEment, students learn about the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. As well as developing their knowledge of Chinese culture, students learn to recognize symbols and describe different human character traits.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - World History
Title: Cave Art: Discovering Prehistoric Humans through Pictures
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Description: In this unit of three lessons, from EDSITEment, students travel to the past to explore how people in earlier times used art as a way to record stories and communicate ideas. By studying paintings from the Cave of Lascaux and other caves in France, students discover that pictures are a way of communicating beliefs and ideas.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature
Title: Poems that Tell a Story: Narrative and Persona in the Poetry of Robert Frost
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Description: In this four-lesson unit, from EDSITEment, students read, discuss, and analyze selected poems by Robert Frost. The activities that make up this unit encourage students to draw inferences about a poem's speaker based on evidence contained within the poem and to gather evidence supporting those inferences.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Statue of Liberty: Bringing the 'New Colossus' to America
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students learn about the effort to convince a skeptical American public to contribute to the effort to erect a pedestal and to bring the Statue of Liberty to New York. The activities in this lesson guide students through an investigation of primary historical documents and an analysis of the poem "The New Colossus," written by the nineteenth-century poet Emma Lazarus.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Foreign Languages - Cultural Awareness | Foreign Languages - Vocabulary | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart: Oral and Literary Strategies
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, introduces students to African novelist Chinua Achebe's first novel, "Things Fall Apart," and to strategies of close reading and textual analysis. Through this lesson, students learn about Nigerian culture and history and compare African oral storytelling traditions with European linguistic and literary forms.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Ordinary People, Ordinary Places: The Civil Rights Movement
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, focuses on the individual men and women who embraced Martin Luther King, Jr.'s message of nonviolent protest and advanced the Civil Rights Movement on a local level. Students come to understand how protest at the local level contributed to the success of the Civil Rights Movement as a whole.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Owl Research Notes
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students record notes about the characteristics of the owl as well as its common and scientific names.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - General Science | Science - Space Sciences
Title: The Moon
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, one of a four-part series on the sky, students observe the Moon each evening and draw its shape. Their sketches are then posted on a calendar and students determine the pattern in the shapes over several weeks.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biology
Title: Bottled Model Lungs
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Description: In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students learn about the respiratory system by comparing and contrasting models, building their own models, and giving one another feedback. The investigatory focus of this activity encourages students to tinker with inputs and outputs and in a sense "play" with putting together and taking apart parts, as a way of teaching them how to design systems.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - General Science | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - World History
Title: Interpreting the Evidence
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Description: This lesson, the second of a two-part series from Science NetLinks, offers useful information and activities to help students understand how scientists learn about civilizations that have disappeared. Students explore archaeological issues, methods, evidence, and types of measurement. The lesson also addresses issues of values and attitudes, particularly the importance of honest, clear, and accurate record keeping. Students discover that different explanations can be given for the same evidence.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: The Science of Mummies
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Description: In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students explore how technological advances can lead to advances in scientific knowledge. They focus specifically on how new technologies are advancing the study of mummies.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Space Sciences
Title: South Pole Scope
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about one research team's effort to measure remnants of light from the Big Bang. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Science - Biology
Title: Color-Coded DNA
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a new way to use DNA to detect infectious diseases. Scientist Bruce Armitage discusses his research with DNA and PNA, a lab-created version of DNA that can be made to seek out and connect to a specific DNA sequence. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - General Science | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: Looking for Clues at Copán
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Description: Using this reproducible chart, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students visit a Web site and list evidence found in the Copán Valley, Honduras. In the lesson, students find out about the social changes that caused the collapse of important ancient civilizations in Central America, Mesopotamia, the southwestern United States, and western Africa.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - General Science | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: Looking for Clues at Copán - Teacher Sheet
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Description: This teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, provides the answers to questions about the social changes that caused the collapse of important ancient civilizations in Central America, Mesopotamia, the southwestern United States, and western Africa. In the lesson, students visit a Web site and then use the student version of the sheet to list evidence found in the Copán Valley, Honduras.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: Mass Spectrometry
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students visit a Web site to read about mass spectrometry and answer questions listed on this student sheet. In the lesson, students explore how technological advances can lead to advancements in scientific knowledge, and specifically how new technologies are advancing the study of mummies.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biology | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: Extracting Mummy DNA
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students visit a Web site to read about extraction of DNA from mummies and answer questions listed on this student sheet.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Science - General Science | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: Studying Ancient Disease
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students visit a Web site to read about how scientists study diseases in ancient Egypt and answer questions listed on the student sheet.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - General Science | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: The Science of Mummies - Teacher Sheet
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Description: This reproducible assessment tool, from a Science NetLinks lesson, provides the appropriate answers for the questions on the three student sheets that accompany the lesson. In the lesson, students explore how technological advances can lead to advancements in scientific knowledge, and specifically how new technologies are advancing the study of mummies.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Take Action! Steward Our Land
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students and their families are encouraged to become stewards of the public lands. Included are ideas on how families can learn more about their local public lands and develop an appreciation for them in both their young and older children.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Interpreting Rock Art of the Anasazi
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students are introduced to the ancient Anasazi people through samples of rock art preserved in the public lands of the Four Corners region. The national parks, which protect this land from vandalism and neglect, serve as a showcase for this Native American rock art. By studying these archaeological remains, students come to understand more about the history and culture of these ancient pueblo farmers.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biology | Science - Physics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: No Magic Borders
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about how important it is to take care of our land and protect it from pollution. They explain the terms "pollution," "borders," and "boundaries." They then discuss the purposes and limitations of borders on public lands and identify some of the causes and effects of pollution and discuss whether borders effectively keep pollution out of public lands.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Be a Geography Detective
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students become geography detectives, learning about geography and the relationship human beings have with the land. Students apply the six "essential elements" of geography as they make observations and draw conclusions about historical landscapes. They demonstrate their understanding by writing journal entries, sketching landscapes, and making mental maps.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Public Lands: Preserve or Develop?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces students to the ways that public lands are valued, used, and managed in the United States. Students compare and contrast different types of public lands, then simulate the decision-making and communication involved in converting private land to public land, taking into consideration the location, terrain, and climate of the land, as well as the needs and desires of the region's residents. Students imagine that they are able to bequeath a parcel of land to their state for public use, then create an argument for the best use of the property.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Great Energy Debate
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson explores the controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in the United States. Students research recent initiatives being taken in this area and analyze their implications. They then assume the roles of pivotal stakeholders in this debate and testify to a mock congressional committee responsible for making decisions about public lands and energy resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Wild Horses: Public Property?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces students to the challenge of maintaining balance among the "competing" species that coexist on public lands. Students discuss how the wild ponies of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge have adapted to their environment. Students also have to discern the challenges faced by land management teams that handle these pony herds and then create a plan for balancing the needs of the ponies with those of other inhabitants.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Understanding Wilderness
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students discuss the concept of wilderness and the role that wilderness preservation has played throughout American history. Students conduct research on different historical wilderness issues or events and analyze those events in the context of the political and cultural climate of that particular time.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Anthrax Attacks
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson focuses on the bacterial disease known as Anthrax. Anthrax has always been identified as a disease that infects cattle, but there are also known cases of people contracting this disease directly from handling infected cattle. In this lesson the students research the disease and its impact on human health.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Estimation and Measurement
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students are introduced to the concept of units of measurement. Students first measure with the idea of units in mind and are then challenged to consider why it is important to have standardized units of measurement. Then they measure with standardized units and compare results with one another.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Engineering | Science - Physics
Title: Exploring Parts and Wholes
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson students explore systems (in the context of parts and wholes), and develop the understanding that when parts are put together they can do things that they couldn't do by themselves. They analyze and discuss the parts of toys, classroom objects, and objects in the outdoor world.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Bag the Beans
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students work with manipulatives (beans) to create and solve math problems, some of which have more than one correct answer. This lesson addresses the common misconception that there is only one correct way to solve any math problem.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Ecology | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Too Bright at Night?
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students consider and discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks of technology, as it relates to light pollution. Students consider the negative consequences of nighttime lighting. They discover that there are unintended consequences as well as benefits resulting from our ability to illuminate the night.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Psychology
Title: Hamsters
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear how researchers are using hamsters to understand the roots of aggression. Scientists believe that most behaviors, from fighting to mating, are controlled by brain chemistry. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Big Trees
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Description: In this activity, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, students use measurements of the girth, or circumference, of a tree to see which tree is large enough that a car could be driven through it. This crazy but fun idea allows students to visualize and work with the areas and circumferences of circles. Students may realize that for larger trees more space may be needed on the sides of the removed section in order to support the tree; students are also encouraged to try to estimate the circumference of a tree outside using what they have learned from the activity. Thus, this problem is problem solving based. And, the site makes other real world connections with measurement by recognizing that various professions use measurement.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Button Beach Challenge
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Description: This site offers an interactive puzzle, reviewed for grades Pre-K-2 by Illuminations, which challenges students to use logic, algebraic reasoning and two digit addition and subtraction skills to solve. The basic idea is that each type of button represents a hidden number and the sums of certain combinations buttons are given. It's the student's tasks to determine the sums of other combinations of buttons. Teachers could easily extend this activity in the classroom by allowing students to develop their own codes and combinations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Trigonometry
Title: Calculus 101
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Description: This Web site, reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, from Calc101.com, is designed to help students with their calculus homework. Solutions to first year calculus derivative and integral problems are available from an on-line version of the software package Mathematica. Students can enter the problem they would like solved, and step-by-step solutions are generated automatically and quickly. There is a charge for indefinite integral solutions, but derivatives and "long multiplication" (expansion) are free. In addition, there are a large number of pre-worked integral examples available at no charge.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Can You Balance?
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Description: This online activity, reviewed for grades Pre-K-2 by Illuminations, is an excellent opportunity for students to practice and develop number sense and their understanding of equations. Children often will have a difficult time interpreting and understanding equality when presented in the form "2+3=1+4." Balancing activities, such as this one, may clarify and deepen understandings of equality, which may add to algebraic reasoning development. Teachers should emphasize the translation of the blocks into equations and may want to supplement the activity with hands-on manipulatives. Additionally, teachers may want to ask their students to predict what the equations will be if they chose each of the alternatives provided.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Probability
Title: Decimals, Fractions & Percentages
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Description: The resource, from the San Diego State University College of Education Web site, features two card games designed to reinforce students' understanding of decimals, fractions, and percentages. The games use a special deck of cards (created by the teacher) with decimals, fractions, and percentages as the three suits. Use this link to access the Decimals, Fractions, and Percentage game rules through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Theory | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Dot Patterns and Sierpinski Gasket
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Description: Reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, this activity is an interactive discussion and applet on the Sierpinski Gasket, also known as the Sierpinski Triangle, generated from a number theory point of view. Students are provided with either rows of digits or circles with colors corresponding to the digits. Patterns in the drawing area are defined row-by-row using modular arithmetic, starting from the upper row. Using the applet, students are to determine the distribution of O's in rows of the pattern emanating from a single dot. This could be the basis for an effective group assignment because students would able to share their conjectures with one another. This also shows an interesting connection between number theory and geometry, in particular fractals. Other helpful links, such as Sierpinski Gasket and Tower of Hanoi, allow further exploration into the very surprising Sierpinski Gasket.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Fractals
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Description: Fractals may or may not be a topic that you have considered studying with your class; however, this site, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, is a comprehensive study of fractals for students and is designed in such a manner that students will find it interesting and easy to navigate. This whole unit Web site can be an exciting and fun way to explore various geometrical concepts. For example, while working with the Sierpinski Triangle, students are asked to work with similar triangles, equilateral triangles, and Pascal's Triangle. And, because fractals occur so commonly in nature and are available on the Internet, a real-world connection can be made
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Gasoline Tanks
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Description: This "Figure This!" activity, reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations, challenges students to investigate gas mileage for different cars. Although these students are too young to drive, they are not too young to evaluate the economics of driving. In order to make a reasonable claim as to which car is better, students have to evaluate the gas mileage in regards to highway and city mileage. Thus, students will most likely need to set up tables to analyze the data. The Getting Started section leads the students in the right direction for exploring this problem, and the following section presents the answer with the calculated data in the form of a table. Subsequent problems also call for the D=RT formula and data analysis.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns | Mathematics - Trigonometry
Title: Investigating Patterns: Symmetry and Tessellations
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Description: This Web site, from Camosun College, features a large collection of resources for teaching about symmetry and tesselations. Teachers should note that some links are to commercial sites designed to sell various resources. Use this link to access the Symmetry and Tessselations Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Line Jumper
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Description: This interactive activity, from FunBrain.com, challenges students to solve addition and subtraction problems using a number line. An equation is presented (i.e. 7-3), with the first number (7) marked on the number line. Students then solve the equation by clicking on the correct answer (4) on the number line. Students can choose the level at which they work from "Easy" to "Super Brain." Use this link to access the Line Jumper activity through the Illuminations resource review for grades Pre-K-2.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Math at the Grocery Store
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Description: This activity, from the U.S. Department of Education, is designed to help parents incorporate math into a trip to the grocery store with their child or children. The children are involved in organizing shopping lists and budgeting with coupons. At the store, children can look for shapes or weigh items on the produce scales. After the trip, children can be asked to identify various methods for sorting the grocery items. Use this link to access the Math at the Grocery Store activity through the Illuminations resource review for grades Pre-K-2.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Math Fact Café
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Description: This Web site, from MathCafe.com, allows educators to generate their own custom worksheets to practice number facts. The user can choose from different operations (including missing operands and mixed operations), and can specify the range of numbers to include. There are also many options for controlling the number of problems and their display. Use this link to access the Math Fact Café Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades Pre-K-2.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Mirror, Mirror
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Description: The challenge for this Figure This! activity, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, is to determine what amount of yourself you see when you look in a mirror, and if this amount changes as you back away from the mirror. Different geometrical concepts, such as, angles, reflections, lines of sight, and triangles, are used to figure out the answers. The purpose of this activity is to show the importance of recognizing how these concepts are related, and how they can be used in everyday professions. There are several suggestions of how to go about solving this challenge in the "Getting Started" section. For example, measure the height of the mirror and the height of yourself that you see in the mirror and compare them. There are also related questions in the "Try These" and "Think About This" sections along with interesting facts and background information in the "Did You Know" section.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Moving Man
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Description: In this interactive activity students use the mouse to move a stick figure across the screen. As the figure moves, graphs are generated showing distance, velocity, and acceleration. This resource comes from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Office for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education. Use this link to access the Moving Man activity through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Pie Chart - Virtual Manipulative
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Description: This applet, reviewed for grades Pre-K-2 by Illuminations, is simple enough for young students to use to construct colorful pie charts with data they have collected. It allows up to eight categories and uses calculations and displays percents based on frequency counts . Also included is an option to display the key, so teachers can create pie charts then ask students to predict which color represents each category. The site also provides a list of suggested activities, a lesson plan to use with the pie chart, and a link to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards for reference.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Pythagorean Triples
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Description: This activity, reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, explores Pythagorean Triples, that is, triples of numbers so that a2+b2=c2. An applet is provided, showing a line passing through (-1, 0) and a point with integral coordinates. The point where the line intersects the unit circle is used to generate a right triangle, and subsequently a Pythagorean Triple is generated. This example shows an interesting connection between geometry, algebra, and number theory. A complete mathematical explanation is given, showing why this works. While the proof provided may be a little difficult for high school students to follow, an advanced class might be asked to try to make sense of what is happening.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Tern Turn
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Description: In this activity, part of the Figure This! Web site, students determine how long will it take Arctic terns to fly from the Arctic to the Antarctic given specified speeds and distances. Formulas are not given, so the students have to determine the relationships between distance, speed, rate, and time on their own. Use this link to access the Tern Turn activity through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Probability
Title: The Estimator
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Description: In this lesson, from Creativille.org, students will build a garage out of marshmallows, toothpicks, and index cards. They will graph and predict how many marshmallows and toothpicks it will take to build a two-story garage with 'x' index cards. There is a teacher guide that includes the mathematical standards covered in the lesson, as well as group roles and descriptions, a chart to fill in estimated supplies, and a blueprint that can be printed out. Use this link to access the Estimator lesson through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Thirteen! Oh No!
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Description: In this activity, part of the Figure This! Web site, students determine whether or not there is a Friday the 13th every year. This provides an excellent opportunity for students to analyze the problem, plan a method to solve it, and implement their solution. Use this link to access the Thirteen! Oh No! activity through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Mummies: Honoring the Dead
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students think about how their own cultures honor the dead and how some ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, honored their dead through mummification. Students look at pictures of mummies and write or draw pictures about an imaginary trip to the "mummy room" of a museum.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Making a Mummy the Natural Way
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson has students examine the relationship between climate and the mummification process in ancient Egypt and other parts of the world. Students conclude by writing paragraphs suggesting ways archaeologists and climatologists can work together to study mummies.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Where Can You Find a Good Mummy?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces students to the places where mummies have been found and the reasons why some cultures mummified their dead. Students read an article and a Web page about mummies from Egypt and other parts of the world, and they answer questions about what they have read. They conclude by writing questions they might ask if they were archaeologists looking for additional mummies.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Prenatal Genetic Testing: Do You Really Want to Know Your Baby's Future?
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students listen to an audio excerpt about cystic fibrosis, then answer questions and take notes. In the lesson, students examine the ethical issues raised by three situations in which prenatal testing may be used to prevent or facilitate pregnancy.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Embryology | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: What Choices Would You Make?
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students answer questions describing the consequences of decisions they made after choosing a scenario related to a particular disease. In the lesson, students examine the ethical issues raised by three situations in which prenatal testing may be used to prevent or facilitate pregnancy.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Embryology
Title: Your Genes, Your Choices
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students respond to questions after reading an article about cystic fibrosis. In the lesson, students examine the ethical issues raised by three situations in which prenatal testing may be used to prevent or facilitate pregnancy.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Researching Different Perspectives on Ethics and Reproduction
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Description: Using this reproducible activity, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students read about a couple, one of whom is a carrier of a disease. Students are given instructions to discuss the issues of genetic testing, with each participant playing a different role. Guidelines for a group project are also provided.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Embryology
Title: Information for Carlos and Mollie: Different Perspectives
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students take notes and make comments pertaining to a discussion about genetic testing. In the lesson, students examine the ethical issues raised by three situations in which prenatal testing may be used to prevent or facilitate pregnancy.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Ethics and Reproductive Issues: The Dilemma of Choice - Assessment Sheet
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Description: This reproducible assessment sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains criteria for grading a student essay about genetic testing and the ethical issues involved. In the lesson, students examine the ethical issues raised by three situations in which prenatal testing may be used to prevent or facilitate pregnancy.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Communicating with the President
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Description: This collection of two lessons, from EDSITEment, encourages students to consider the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. president and their own roles as citizens of a democracy. They learn about the different means the president uses to communicate with the public and then express their views on a particular issue in a letter to the president.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government
Title: The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Understanding the President's Job
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Description: This unit of two lessons, from EDSITEment, encourages students to consider the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. president and their own roles as citizens of a democracy. In this unit, they review the structure of the U.S. government, discuss the different tasks undertaken by the president, and participate in an interactive online activity simulating a typical "day on the job" for the president. Offline alternatives are given for those who do not have access to an Internet connection in their classroom.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: Helpful Animals and Compassionate Humans in Folklore
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Description: In this three lesson unit, from EDSITEment, students examine several examples of helpful animal tales from around the world and consider the relationship between human beings and the land and sea and the beasts that inhabit them. They recognize the motives for and types of aid the animals provide for humans, as well as discuss what happens if the humans are ungrateful for the aid.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: Folktales and Ecology: Animals and Humans in Cooperation and Conflict
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Description: In this unit of three lessons, from EDSITEment, students study relationships between humans and animals in folktales in order to highlight issues concerning ecology and the environment. They explore the ways in which animals and humans help one another and consider the efforts of humans to protect endangered species.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Sharks: Setting the Record Straight
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students investigate sharks' importance to the ecosystem, recent shark attacks, legislation regarding shark feeding, and the geographical distribution of shark attacks in the United States. Students go on to write outlines for TV programs aimed at educating the public about sharks.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Sharks: Should They Be Afraid of Us?
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn some interesting facts about different kinds of sharks and discuss the reasons why people are both afraid of and interested in sharks. They consider sharks' importance in nature and create brochures to educate beach visitors about sharks. Students participate in an online quiz in order to develop their knowledge and understanding of shark behavior.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: What's the Hammer For?
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, asks students to consider the possible reasons why hammerheads have "hammers" and to read and analyze scientists' thoughts concerning this question. Students visit relevant Web sites and conclude by pretending to be researchers investigating this question further.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science
Title: The Four Seasons
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Description: This purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to dispel common misconceptions and help students understand that the tilt of the earth's axis causes seasons. After reading about the topic, students observe a demonstration of tilt.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biology
Title: Louis Pasteur--A Microbe Discoverer
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the second in a two-part series on microorganisms, focuses on Louis Pasteur, his discovery of microorganisms, and the process of pasteurization.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Consumer Health | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: What's Bugging You?
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the first in a two-part series lessons on microorganisms, demonstrates that some "bad" microorganisms can get into the body through food ingestion It also explores how environments support pathogens. This lesson is intended to build on a basic understanding of microbes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Cylinders and Scale
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Description: This lesson, from Science NetLinks, teaches students that most things have built-in limits in scale, but that knowing something's extreme limits of scale can be revealing. It is designed to build upon students' ability to build structures and to learn about mathematical and engineering relationships like length, area, and volume. Students discover that they can measure very large or very small objects if they understand and implement certain principles.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Shakey Snake
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Description: In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students will read an online story, "The Adventures of Shakey Snake." In addition to discussing Shakey Snake's life and environment, students will discover how heredity influences animal features. Also, students will analyze the relationships between animal features and their environments.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Physics
Title: Solar Blind
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a device for measuring light that can withstand the intensity of the Sun's rays. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Eye Tracking
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear how scientists can measure the way we process language by observing people's eye movements. When we read, our eyes don't scan the lines at a constant speed. Rather, they move in fits and starts across the page, lingering on unfamiliar words and re-reading confusing phrases or sentences. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biology
Title: Nematodes
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear how genetically engineered tomatoes may be able to resist parasitic worms without the use of toxic pesticides. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Explore Your World
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a complete ArcView project. This resource is meant to accompany the "Explore Your World with a Geographic Information System" poster and booklet published by ESRI. This file consists of instructional activities and background information about geographic information systems. The supplement aims to broaden students' geographic awareness and knowledge of the world around them by engaging in a graphic and instructional journey to focus on U.S. population distribution and the factors associated with these geographic patterns. This project includes updated Census 2000 data by county. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: ArcLessons: Exploring the Titanic with GIS
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Description: This resource, from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), provides a GIS Software skills lesson about the Titanic. In this lesson, students will analyze the route, the sinking, the rescue, and the discovery of the Titanic, examining ocean currents, icebergs, map projections, and several mysteries along the way. They will be using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to accomplish this, conducting an investigation of their own using satellite images, tables, charts, and computerized maps. Students will use history and mathematics in a geographic context. Also included, in the download, is an answer key, rubric, and complete teacher guide. ArcLessons is a resource for teachers to download LessonPacks for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in the classroom. ESRI is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) technology. Their site features free GIS software, online mapping, online training, demos, data, software and service information, user scripts, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Consumer Health | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: What's Bugging You?
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, is used by students to explore foodborne illnesses. After reviewing some introductory questions, students read information from a Web site about food safety and foodborne illnesses and then assess their knowledge.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Journalism | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Colonial Broadsides and the American Revolution
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students become familiar with broadsides from the American Revolution. Broadsides were notices written on disposable, single sheets of paper printed on one side only, intended to have an immediate impact on readers. Students use resources to experience the news as the colonists heard it. They connect broadsides to events leading to the American Revolution.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Drama | Language Arts - Journalism | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Colonial Broadsides: A Student-Created Play
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students use the resources of the Library of Congress's Printed Ephemera Collection to experience the news as the American colonists heard it. Based on their research, the students put together a skit about the events leading up to the American Revolution.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Bias Sampling
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students take a poll to gather information about how much time students spend on homework. Students then explore ways that data can be manipulated and discover that sometimes a representation of a group does not provide an accurate picture of the whole group.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Nature and Nurture
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Description: In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students begin to develop an understanding of the role played by nature (our genes) and nurture (the environment in which we live and the things that happen to us) in defining who we are and what it means to be human.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: The One in the Middle
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson provides simple activities to review and reinforce the concepts of mean, median, and mode. There are various activities, all based on the number of siblings of the students. The lesson is intended to supplement other instruction on these topics, both in science and mathematics classes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Science - Oceanography
Title: Marine Sanctuaries
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students learn about the national marine sanctuaries found in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and off the coast of American Samoa. They develop an understanding of diverse marine ecosystems and the problems they face. By learning about the biodiversity, ecological integrity, and cultural legacy of these marine sanctuaries, students can place into context what they are learning about the interdependence of living things on our planet.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Black Holes
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson introduces students to the science of black holes. Students examine the anatomy of a black hole using diagrams and also explore myths, the history related to the discovery of black holes, and an animated trip to the center of a black hole. Students also read about different types of black holes and view actual Hubble images that support the hypothesis of black holes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Proteome
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Description: In this Science Update, from science NetLinks, you'll hear about the difficulties of the task of determining which genes make which proteins, and what these proteins do. Geneticists think this information could provide valuable insights into disease. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Monogamous Voles
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about two different species of rodents, called voles, that have two very different strategies in the monogamy department. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology
Title: Tree Torture
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about research being done to keep Arizona's San Pedro River from drying up due to increased demands for water in the area. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Story Telling
Title: Beatrix Potter's Naughty Animal Tales
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Description: In this unit of four lessons, from EDSITEment, students gain insight into the unusual, solitary world of Victorian childhood and compare and contrast it with their own world to understand why Beatrix Potter wrote simple stories and why she wrote about animals rather than people. Students can also learn the difference between an author and an illustrator and practice some of the same artistic techniques used by Potter to create masterpieces of their own.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Story Telling | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: Fairy Tales Around the World
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Description: In this unit of six lessons, from EDSITEment, students become familiar with fairy tales. They read and learn to understand fairy tales so that they can better comprehend the structures of literature, as well as for the sake of the wonder, pleasure, and human understanding these stories can provide in their own right.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Alligators and Crocodiles
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to the American alligator, the Nile crocodile, and SuperCroc (the prehistoric crocodilian species Sarcosuchus imperator). Students learn about each species' geographical range, habitat, diet, and behaviors. They conclude the lesson by designing zoo habitats for alligators or crocodiles and creating captions providing information about these species' prehistoric relative.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Natural History | Social Studies - Geography
Title: What Did They Eat?
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to the SuperCroc (Sarcosuchus imperator) and its diet and eating habits. Students also investigate the diet and eating habits of American alligators and Nile crocodiles. They draw pictures and write paragraphs explaining the similarities and differences they discover and the reasons they think scientists are so interested in what and how these animals eat.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Natural History | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Crocs, Then and Now
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, has students investigate the geographical distributions, habitats, and other features of modern crocodilians and the so-called SuperCroc (Sarcosuchus imperator). Students consider the things they can learn about one species by studying the other. They create Venn diagrams to compare and contrast one modern species with SuperCroc. They conclude by writing paragraphs describing this comparison and explaining how each species helps us learn about the other.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Survival of the Fittest?
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to crocodilian species. Crocodilians, including crocodiles and alligators, are ancient animals that survived the period of mass extinction at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary about 65 million years ago. While scientists are not sure why crocodilians are so hardy, they have plenty of evidence from modern and prehistoric crocodilians to develop hypotheses on this question. Students investigate this evidence and write reports on their findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Life in the Mountains
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to the idea that people in different parts of the world have different customs and habits of daily life, even if they live in similar landscapes. They view pictures of and discuss life in the mountains of Colorado and Nepal and write stories describing what it might be like to live in the mountains of Nepal.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: The Land and Lifestyle of the Inca
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students explore the geography of the Inca Empire and consider how geography affected the Inca way of life, from government to agriculture to transportation. Finally, students consider how geography affects their own way of life and discuss the reasons geography may not be as influential today as it was in ancient times.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Responsible Tourism in Nepal
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to the concept of ecotourism and asks them to find out about culturally responsible tourism practices in Nepal. Students pretend they have been asked to lead a tour company in Nepal and decide whether to accept or decline the offer. They then write essays explaining their decision.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: "Adopt" a Geographic News Story
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students are introduced to some stories from National Geographic News and then invited to discuss the reasons why it is a good idea to follow the news. The class "adopts" a geographic news story, designs posters to illustrate it, and researches related topics.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Journalism | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Seeing the World Through the News
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to National Geographic News and has them find several articles about recent geographic and environmental developments. Students are probably familiar with some general news sources, such as the daily newspaper or the nightly TV news. They are less likely to know about "specialty" sources such as geographic or environmental news Web sites. Students map the locations these news stories describe and explain how maps can help them learn about what's going on around the world.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Points of View in the News
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, helps students sort through the myriad points of view offered on the Internet and evaluate the sources and purposes of news articles and Web sites. Students read articles from National Geographic News and answer questions describing each article's source, purpose, and viewpoint. Students then research the topics presented in an article of their choice and evaluate the resources they find. They conclude by creating checklists they can use in the future to evaluate articles, Web sites, and other information.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Reading Between the Lines
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, helps students evaluate news stories by determining their sources and recognizing biases or viewpoints. In order to become well-informed adults, it is a good idea for students to develop the habit of reading the news and keeping informed on important topics, such as geography, the environment, and world events. With the overwhelming amount of information available both in print and online, it is important that students learn to read news stories with a critical eye.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Drama | Arts - Filmmaking | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Hamlet and the Elizabethan Revenge Ethic in Text and Film
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains a set of five activities for students to explore the themes of honor, loyalty, and revenge in selected scenes from "Hamlet." These activities involve literary analysis of the text, discussions of characterization and motive, and comparison with a cinematic adaptation of the play.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Drama | Arts - Filmmaking | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Hamlet Meets Chushingura: Traditions of the Revenge Tragedy
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains two activities for students to explore similarities and differences between cultures by comparing Shakespearean and Bunraku/Kabuki dramas. These activities involve literary comparison of "Hamlet" and the Japanese drama "Chushingura," and analyses of different cinematic and theatrical adaptations of both plays.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Arabic Poetry: Guzzle a Ghazal!
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains three activities for students to understand and appreciate the intricate poetry of the ghazal, a pre-Islamic verse form still popular today. These activities involve experimenting with English rhymes in the style of the ghazal, studying real ghazal poetry to deduce its structure and rules, and group composition of ghazal-style poetry in English.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - United States History
Title: Revolutionary Tea Parties and the Reasons for Revolution
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains five activities for students exploring the context and significance of the Boston Tea Party of 1774. The activities involve a study of the "tea parties" staged in other colonial cities, analysis of the colonists' key objections to the Tea Act, a close study of several primary sources, and the creation of a cause-and-effect ladder that illustrates the Tea Act's significance in the subsequent Revolutionary War.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Drama | Language Arts - Literature
Title: Shakespeare's Othello and the Power of Language
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains seven activities for students to explore the linguistic ingenuity of Iago's rhetoric in Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello." The activities involve a close study of key scenes, using worksheets to focus on the use of language to reveal character, motive, and theme. The final activity allows students to compose their own persuasive writing inspired by Iago's wordplay or a literary essay analyzing Iago's speeches.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Journalism | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Boston Tea Party: Costume Optional?
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains three activities for students to study the events of the Boston Tea Party of 1776 and reflect upon the methodology by which historians reconstruct the past. The activities involve a close study of primary sources describing the Boston Tea Party and a consideration of the effect of bias in both primary and secondary historical sources.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Speech | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Constitutional Convention: Four Founding Fathers You May Never Have Met
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains four activities for students to examine the contributions and perspectives of some of the less-renowned of the Founding Fathers in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. The activities involve a biographical study of four of the Founding Fathers (Ellsworth, Hamilton, Paterson, and Randolph), oral presentations arguing for their significance in the events of the period, and a puzzle to match characteristic quotes with the Founding Father responsible for uttering them.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Speech | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Constitutional Convention: What the Founding Fathers Said
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains four activities for students to examine debates of the Constitutional Congress, and to reflect on what we can learn from them about democratic statesmanship. The activities involve a close study of transcripts of the debates themselves, a dramatic recreation of some of the debates, and a discussion of how democratic ideas were developed through these debates.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Why Do We Remember Revere? Paul Revere's Ride in History and Literature
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students examine the essential differences between Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's account of Paul Revere's ride and historical fact. They then reflect on why this event is so significant in American cultural history. The activities involve a study of the historical context of both Revere and Longfellow, a discussion of Longfellow's poem and its central themes and historical references, and an analysis of the ride's iconic status for the developing American nation.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Japanese Poetry: Tanka? You're Welcome!
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains three activities which use the Japanese poetic form of the tanka as a prompt for students to reflect on the nature and purpose of different poetic rules and devices. The activities involve a close study of the conventions and thematic concerns of tanka poems, opportunities for students to compose their own poems, and detailed structural analysis of selected tanka.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: What's Your Wingspan?
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Description: In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students measure each other's wingspan (armspan) and record and analyze the data. Before doing this lesson, students should have had many opportunities to experiment with the process of measuring and units of measurement.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Physics
Title: Exploring Magnetic Fields
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson demonstrates the magnetic field that is formed by a small magnet. Prior to this lesson, students should have had opportunities to observe and explore the lines of force, the attraction, and the repelling forces that all magnets exhibit.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Astronomy | Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Physics | Science - Space Sciences
Title: How Old Are the Stars?
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students determine the age of a star cluster by observing, measuring, and plotting astronomical data. They examine the Jewelbox cluster, located within the southern constellation Crux, and determine its age using a relationship between temperature, color, and luminosity. Before beginning this lesson, students should understand the life cycle and composition of stars. Students should also understand the relationship between temperature and color.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Science - General Science | Science - Physics
Title: Misconceptions About Why Seasons Occur - Teacher Background
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Description: This page, from Science NetLinks, accompanies the lesson titled "The Four Seasons." Common misconceptions about what causes seasons are explained on this page for teachers.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Measuring with Toothpicks
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Description: This reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains questions and measurement activities for students to perform using toothpicks.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Introduction to Measurement for Primary Students
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Description: This resource, from the Math Forum, contains lessons designed to engage young children in a series of activities in which they measure and describe the attributes of integer bars. Each lesson is designed to include: interactive, manipulative-based projects, technology, paper/pencil practice, and literature connections. This resource is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson titled "Estimation and Measurement."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Technology and Civilization | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Thomas Edison's Inventions in the 1900s and Today: From "New" to You!
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Description: This four-lesson unit, from EDSITEment, aims to help students understand Edison's influence on life and technology, both around 1900 and today. Students consider modern technology, study the standards of life and technology in 1900, research Thomas Edison's influence in his time, and investigate how Edison's influence is still at work in modern society. Students study primary sources, research specific inventions, and create a pictorial timeline.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - United States History
Title: What is History? Timelines and Oral Histories
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, aims to help students understand history and recognize that the past is different depending on who is remembering and retelling it. There are four activities, in which students construct a timeline based on events from their own lives and family histories, construct a class timeline through comparison with each other's histories, research oral history by interviewing family members, and study primary sources to write their own history of the Great Chicago Fire.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Edward Lear, Limericks, and Nonsense: A Little Nonsense
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students learn about nonsense poetry as well as the various poetic techniques and devices that poets use. Students study "The Owl and the Pussy Cat," by the British poet Edward Lear, and play educational games to identify poetic techniques in Lear's poems. They then try creating poems of their own.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Edward Lear, Limericks, and Nonsense: There Once Was…
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students learn about limerick poetry and practice the strict metrical form that defines the limerick. Students study limericks by the British poet Edward Lear, identify the characteristic rhyme scheme and meter, fill in the blanks on sample limericks, then progress to writing limericks of their own.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Music | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Story Telling | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Folklore in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the way African-American author Zora Neale Hurston makes use of closely observed black folklife in her novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Students read the novel, research Hurston's own life and ethnography, listen to her WPA recordings of folksongs and folktales, and compare transcribed folk narrative texts with the novel itself.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - United States History
Title: American Colonial Life in the Late 1700s: Distant Cousins
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore daily life and its influences in the late 1700s for two families in different colonies: Delaware and Massachusetts. Students use maps to consider the historical and geographical factors in the development of different colonies, research life in two such colonies by investigating artifacts, and write letters to each other from the perspectives of children in the Ipswich, Massachusetts colony and the Mill Creek, Delaware colony.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: Cities Are Urban Ecosystems
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the first of a five-part unit titled "Urban Ecosystems: Continuity and Change," introduces some of the principles of ecology. Students are introduced to the study of ecosystems and models that are used by urban ecologists. The class is then invited to visit Web sites to see where the cities are on the planet, and they have a chance to try some hands-on urban nature education activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Urban Studies | Social Studies - World History
Title: Why Are There Cities? A Historical Perspective
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the second of a five-part unit, looks at the conditions that led to the development of early cities, as well as some of the factors that caused the decline of early cities. Students visit a variety of online sites to see pictures and perform activities. They bring their learning back home again in the summary exercises that focus on their personal family histories and the history of their local urban ecosystems.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Urban Studies | Social Studies - World History
Title: Cities as Population Centers
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Description: This Science NetLinks, the third in a series of five lessons, focuses on modern urban ecosystems. Students visit Web sites that deal with urban population, fossil fuel consumption, and the signals (such as carbon dioxide emissions) that can be used to track population changes. The class then creates a "letter to the grandkids," which tells the grandkids how important fossil fuels were to the growth of cities and how the signal of fossil fuel use showed up in the atmosphere.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Drama | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Urban Studies | Social Studies - World History
Title: Metabolism of Urban Ecosystems
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Description: The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson, the fourth of a sequence of five lessons, is to understand that most of the materials and energy used by a city come from outside the city boundaries. Students learn that the pathway of these materials through the city tends to be linear (as opposed to cyclic, as in natural ecosystems), and that flowpaths into the city are longer than flowpaths out.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: In Defense of Cities
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the last of a sequence of five lessons, students learn about the concept of an ecological footprint and brainstorm the qualities and characteristics of what they might consider an excellent, livable community. The class then creates an oversized wall map of their local environment, decorated with a border of colorful footprints.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Science - Ecology
Title: Ecosystem Services: Water Purification - Extension Material
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Description: This resource, provided by Science NetLinks, is a document of extension work for teachers to use to supplement the material in the Science NetLinks lesson "Ecosystem Services - Water Purification." This resource is a three page document in .pdf (Adobe Acrobat) format.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Anthropology
Title: Median Birth Years
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students research the median birth year of either their own or an older generation. This research is then translated into a wall-chart to prompt discussion on population change.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Population Graph: Example - Teacher Resource
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Description: This resource, provided by Science NetLinks, is a teacher's exemplar of a wall-chart to prompt discussion on population change, since it shows population increasing with each generation. This resource is in .pdf (Adobe Acrobat) format and is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson "Urban Ecosystems 3: Cities as Population Centers."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology | Science - Ecology | Science - Ecology
Title: Killifish and Pollution
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how fish are adapting to high levels of pollution in American rivers. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses
Title: Talking Lights
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about ideas to use the imperceptible flickering of fluorescent lights to transmit coded information. Such technology might be used to help blind people navigate unfamiliar buildings. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Aquarium Habitats
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students consider how aquariums can provide realistic habitats for marine animals. They use the Internet to "visit" three aquarium habitats and determine whether these aquariums succeed in providing high-quality environments for the animals that live in them. Students conclude by designing their own aquarium habitats based on what they have learned.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Pros and Cons of Artificial Reefs
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, asks students to consider whether artificial reefs are good for marine ecosystems. Students look at pictures of artificial reefs and read articles describing the pros and cons of these structures. They conclude by writing paragraphs explaining whether they think a new artificial reef should be created in Florida waters.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: What Are Manatees?
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to manatees. Students learn about manatees' behavioral characteristics and how manatees in captivity interact with people. They conclude by creating "manatee booklets" to educate others about this species.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Journalism | Social Studies - Comparative Political Systems | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Submarines: The Journey of K-19
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students study the ill-fated first mission of K-19, the Soviet Union's first nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine. Students learn about the Cold War and locate the key points of K-19's journey on a map. They consider the actions of crew members who risked their lives so that others might survive and contemplate the reasons why the story was kept secret until the end of the Cold War. Students conclude by writing a newspaper article about the accident at sea.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Submarines: A Heated Competition in a Cold War
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students discuss the concept of competition during the Cold War while considering the disaster that befell the Soviet Union's first nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine, K-19. They explore their ideas about competition by adopting the perspective of K-19's captain and creating a log of the submarine's first mission.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Submarines: Underway on Nuclear Power
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students consider the role of nuclear submarines during the Cold War. They explore the uses of nuclear submarines, the dangers faced by their crews, and the effect of the Cold War build-up. They look at incidents involving submarines both during and after the Cold War, including the K-19 disaster. Finally, students assemble their findings into a classroom presentation.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: What Is a Tornado?
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about how tornadoes are formed and why most tornadoes occur in the United States' "tornado alley." Students also "create" a tornado in a bottle. Finally, they draw pictures of tornadoes of different shapes and sizes and review basic safety information about what to do in a tornado.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Twister! What to Do in a Tornado
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn that tornadoes can happen anywhere and at any time. Students read about the basics of tornado safety. They also learn about the signs that a tornado might be coming and what they should do if they ever experience a tornado firsthand. They then create safety brochures to share with their friends and families.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Tracking Tornadoes
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about how tornadoes are formed and how they are rated according to intensity. They explore various topics about tornadoes, including where they occur most frequently, what kind of damage they cause, how they are predicted, and current scientific research. Students work both alone and in small groups to gain a better understanding of tornadoes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Tornadoes and Technology
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about how tornadoes are formed and where and when they are most likely to occur. They then study the current research on tornadoes and how scientists are trying to predict them. They learn about the equipment "storm chasers" use to study tornadoes and develop their own research plans.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology | Science - Physics | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Echoes: What Animals Can Teach Scientists
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn how scientists like Robert Ballard use sonar to investigate the depths of the ocean. They study the echolocation capabilities of bats and think about how ocean scientists can learn from these animals to develop deep-sea exploration techniques.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Ocean Exploration Museum
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students become familiar with ocean research, including hydrothermal vents and historical shipwrecks. They learn about the work of deep-sea explorer Robert Ballard and hypothesize about what they might find in the ocean. Finally, students create a "museum" exhibit about ocean exploration and suggest questions for future research.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Sleuthing for a Lost Ship
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students consider the ways in which geography is not merely an academic discipline, but also a field of study with interesting and practical applications. They use geographical concepts to plan a fictitious investigation with scientist Robert Ballard to search for a long-lost ship.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Photography | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Earth science | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Into the Ocean
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the special adaptations of familiar animals. Students study different ocean depths and the ways in which animals have adapted to live at them. In the process, they look at the photographs of David Doubilet and think about how photography can help save the oceans.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Photography | Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Ocean Conservation: Getting the Word Out with Photographs
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, helps students understand that geography enables people to make sense of the world and prepare for the future. They concentrate on how photography can contribute to the planning process by looking at pictures by undersea photographer David Doubilet.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Debate | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Jefferson vs. Franklin: Renaissance Men
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the interests and achievements of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. They take a position that one or the other's interests and achievements were more wide-ranging or that they were equivalent.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students deepen their understanding of the documents crucial to the birth of United States democracy as they scrutinize the contributions of two towering figures of the American Revolutionary period and beyond. They consider whether Benjamin Franklin's philosophical contributions to the early development of our government may have been overlooked.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - World History
Title: The Beauty of Anglo-Saxon Poetry: A Prelude to Beowulf
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Description: This EDSITEment lesson is an introduction to Anglo-Saxon literature. In it, students study the manuscripts and riddles of the early Middle Ages. By capturing their attention and imagination with visually stunning images of Anglo-Saxon manuscripts available through EDSITEment resources, this lesson prepares students to read "Beowulf" with an appreciation for its artistry and beauty. Students study online early manuscripts, learn the conventions of Anglo-Saxon poetry, solve online riddles, write riddles, and reflect on what they have learned.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Does Soap Float?
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Description: In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students form hypotheses and carry out an investigation in order to answer a central question: Does soap float? They then demonstrate their understanding of the topic through oral or written reports.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Psychology
Title: Mental Health Through Literature
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the third in a three-part series on mental health and human behavior, examines how mental illness has been portrayed in the arts while highlighting for students a more insightful way to further develop their ideas about human behavior. Several pieces of literature appropriate for use with this lesson are suggested.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Geology
Title: High Pressure
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Description: In this Science Update from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a lab designed to simulate what happens to rocks deep underground, in an effort to understand the composition of the interior of Earth. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature
Title: Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales
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Description: In this series of lessons, from EDSITEment, students learn about the 19th-century author Hans Christian Andersen, who created vivid characters, and hear and read the original texts of several of his stories. The colorful characters, strong emotions, and engaging language of Andersen's tales offer rich imaginative experiences for students, as well as opportunities to analyze themes and ideas.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Story Telling | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Cinderella Folk Tales: Variations in Plot and Setting
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students compare and contrast several versions of Cinderella stories told around the world to find differences and similarities in plot and setting. They then write a narrative--a Cinderella variation--with a plot appropriate to the genre and an original setting.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Story Telling | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Cinderella Folk Tales: Variations in Character
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students compare and contrast several versions of Cinderella stories told around the world to find differences and similarities in character traits. They define the essential qualities of a Cinderella tale and cite specific examples for support from at least two variations.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biology | Science - Ecology | Science - Natural History | Science - Paleontology
Title: The Rise and Fall of the Mammoths
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Description: This lesson, from Science NetLinks, is designed to help students develop an understanding of the evolution of species. Specifically, students use Web resources to explore the evolution and extinction of the wooly mammoth.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physics
Title: Billiard Break
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the probability of sinking all 15 balls on the opening break of a game of pool. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Introduction to Waves
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about ocean waves. They begin by learning the components of a wave, and then discuss the meaning of wave height and wavelength. They discuss how to make waves, as well as use the National Geographic Wave Simulator to experiment with creating waves of varying sizes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Finding Monster Waves
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the varying sizes of ocean waves, what causes the variation, and where to find giant waves. Students learn the parts of a wave and discuss wave height, wavelength, and wave period. They experiment with creating waves on the National Geographic Wave Simulator and discuss how geography affects waves.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Wave Properties
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn the components of a wave then discuss the effects of wave height, wavelength, and wave period in determining the overall size of a wave. They use the National Geographic Wave Simulator to experiment with creating different kinds of waves. Discussion then focuses on the effects of geography on wave size as well as additional forces on boats trying to navigate waves.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Little Red Riding Hood Meets--A Golden Retriever?
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about how dogs evolved from wolves and study the similarities and differences between dogs and wolves. They conduct some basic research on wolves and two dog breeds and fill in a chart to show what they have learned. Students conclude by rewriting "Little Red Riding Hood" as if the main character had encountered a Maltese or a Golden Retriever instead of a wolf.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Human Role in Dog Evolution
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, asks students to investigate and think carefully about the human role in the domestication and evolution of ancient and modern dog breeds. Students explore the relationship between wolves and dogs, the reasons why dogs have been bred, and the controversial wolf hybrid breed. They conclude by writing essays explaining the role of humans in dog evolution, past and present.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - United States History
Title: Voices of the American Revolution
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students are taught how to make informed analyses of primary documents illustrating the diversity of religious, political, social, and economic motives behind competing perspectives on questions of independence and rebellion. Making use of a variety of primary texts, the activities below help students to "hear" some of the colonial voices that, in the course of time and under the pressure of novel ideas and events, contributed to the American Revolution.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: The Great War: Evaluating the Treaty of Versailles
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students study a variety of primary sources, maps, and supporting documents concerning the post-World War I peace process. They develop a context for evaluating whether the Treaty of Versailles was a viable, fair one, and consider some of the complex questions this issue raises about the historical causality and responsibility. The lesson fits within a larger unit on World War I, and some prior knowledge of the causes and events of the war is assumed.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: Creating Classroom Rules
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students cooperate to develop a set of classroom rules. They also learn about making rules for a group when the group is comprised of many different people, and that different groups of people may have different rules.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science
Title: Earth Sensors
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Description: This Science Update, from Science NetLinks, features an interview with Kenneth Hudnut of the U.S. Geological Survey. Hudnut discusses a project in which the Global Positioning System is used to study earthquakes. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biology | Science - General Science
Title: Modern Leeching
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how leeches, popular in medicine in the 1800s, are still used by doctors today, sometimes for safely removing congested blood from a wound. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biology | Science - Biology
Title: All Species Inventory
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear an interview with Kevin Kelly, co-founder and board chairman of the All Species Foundation in San Francisco. Kelly discusses his mission to discover, identify, and document every species on Earth within the next 25 years. Students then read more information about the project, and conclude by answering some related questions. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biology | Science - Biology
Title: Parrot Learning
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a parrot researcher who believes that birds may develop language-like communication and other abilities in ways remarkably similar to humans. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Forest Features
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about different types of forests--temperate deciduous forests, temperate evergreen forests, and tropical rain forests. Students concentrate on the tropical rain forest and learn about explorer Michael Fay's Congo Trek through the African rain forest.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Natural History | Science - Paleontology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Dinosaur Bodies
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, asks students to think about the ways in which living animals use their bodies and the ways in which dinosaurs might have used their bodies, based on fossil evidence and our best educated guesses. They draw pictures of dinosaurs engaging in realistic activities and write explanations as to how the dinosaurs are using their bodies in these activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Beautiful Blue Nile
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the Blue Nile and compare it to a river in the United States. They discuss their experience with rivers, see a demonstration of a river running over flat versus mountainous terrain, explore the Blue Nile, and create brochures for people considering a journey down the Blue Nile and along a river in the United States.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Drought, Famine, and Geographic Diversity
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, teaches students about Ethiopia's different geographic regions to combat the misconception that the country has only drought, famine, and war. As students listen to news stories, they recognize that the media portrayals of Ethiopia are not always complete and that Ethiopia is, in fact, a geographically diverse country, home to forests, grasslands, and the Blue Nile.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Nile in Crisis
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, asks students to examine the current water situation in the Nile River region, focusing on the Blue Nile and the Egyptian Nile, and to investigate ways in which the damming of the Nile has changed this river significantly from the way it was in ancient times. Students create educational brochures for tourists to Egypt, explaining the relationship between the Blue Nile and the Nile and the potential water crisis facing Egypt.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Space Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Mapping Mars
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to some common map projections and representations (e.g. globes or close-ups) and asks them to consider the ways that each representation can be used to show specific features of Mars. Students draw three different representations of Mars and illustrate each one with details of research they have conducted on the planet.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Space Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Technology of Mars Exploration
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, asks students to research the types of technology that are used to map and explore Mars. Students imagine that they are working as "technology experts" for NASA and create visual presentations to show the American public the types of technology that their tax dollars are funding for Mars mapping and exploration.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Beluga Whales in the Ice
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, asks students to think about how beluga whales survive in icy Arctic and subarctic waters and why they sometimes need to migrate. Students view and sketch photographs of ice at different stages of thickness, look at pictures of belugas, and discuss how belugas' bodies are adapted to life in the ice. They conclude by writing and illustrating paragraphs about how belugas survive in the ice and where the whales go when the ice becomes too thick.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Pacific Salmon
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about pacific salmon, including the salmon migration route and the fact that salmon are able to return to the streams where they were born after spending years swimming in the ocean. They see photographs of salmon at different stages of their lives and illustrate maps with salmon pictures. Students conclude by performing skits showing the salmon life cycle and migration.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Photography | Language Arts - Journalism | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Don't Be Fooled by a Photograph
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students study images that were altered digitally to create a desired effect. Students discuss how a photograph conveys information, and how changing that photograph can change its message. This lesson plan is based on the National Geographic News story, "Shark 'Photo of the Year' Is E-Mail Hoax," which covers an urban legend based on a doctored photograph.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Ecology | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Great Barrier Reef
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, helps students understand the environmental importance of coral reefs and the threats to reefs' conservation. Through the process of gathering geographic information about a place (in this case, the Great Barrier Reef), students learn how a "geographic focus" can sharpen their insights about a conservation issue.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Poems of Tennyson and Noyes: Pictures in Words
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore how poets Tennyson and Noyes use words to paint vivid and memorable pictures. They describe how "word pictures" emphasize or qualify the meanings of their poems.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - United States History
Title: Was There an Industrial Revolution? New Workplace, New Technology, New Consumers
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students learn about changes that occurred in the United States during the period of industrialization before the Civil War. They then determine which facts indicate whether early industrialization was a revolutionary or evolutionary process.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - United States History
Title: Was There an Industrial Revolution? Americans at Work Before the Civil War
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students learn about changes that occurred in the United States during the period of industrialization before the Civil War. They then determine which facts indicate whether early industrialization was a revolutionary or evolutionary process.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Spaceship Earth
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Description: In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students develop an understanding of our planet as a system by designing a very-long-duration space mission in which the life-support system is patterned after that of Earth. By actively thinking through what it takes to keep people alive on a spaceship, the students come to understand more fully what it takes to keep people alive on this planet.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Oceanography
Title: Seal Cam
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how nature photographers have recruited Weddell seals to help them shoot film under the Antarctic ice. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Walt Whitman's Notebooks and Poetry: the Sweep of the Universe
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students read the poetry of Walt Whitman to determine how he attempts to combine universal themes with individual experiences and feelings. Additionally, students reflect on how Whitman used his experiences in the Civil War in his poetry.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Photography | Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Walt Whitman to Langston Hughes: Poems for a Democracy
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the idea of "democratic poetry" by reading Whitman's words in a variety of media, examining daguerreotypes taken circa 1850, and comparing the poetic concepts and techniques behind Whitman's "I Hear America Singing" and Langston Hughes' "Let America Be America Again." Finally, using similar poetic concepts and techniques, students have an opportunity create a poem from material in their own experience.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: The Industrial Age in America: Sweatshops, Steel Mills, and Factories
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Description: In this lesson from EDSITEment, students research working conditions in the Age of Industrialization and examine worker responses to these conditions. They then read arguments for and against modern sweatshops and write a position paper on sweatshops today.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History | Social Studies - World History
Title: The Industrial Age in America: Robber Barons and Captains of Industry
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students research several industrialists and financiers to attempt to establish a distinction between robber barons and captains of industry. Students uncover some of the less honorable deeds as well as the shrewd business moves and highly charitable acts of the great industrialists and financiers.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Bell Curve
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students construct two bell curves using two different yet related objects. For example, two kinds of Hershey's Kisses (plain and almond) or two kinds of dried beans (kidney and lima). By completing the activities in this lesson, students come to understand normal distribution of a measurable characteristic within a group of objects and realize that differences in a characteristic between groups with overlapping distribution curves cannot be used to describe individuals.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Erupting Volcanoes!
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students learn about volcanoes by making and erupting model volcanoes. Students take measurements and make observations before and after the eruption then compare them to see how the eruption changed their volcano.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Transplant
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students use the Internet to learn about the workings and anatomy of the heart and the medical techniques that help people live longer, healthier lives. Students then use their knowledge to discuss controversial issues surrounding heart transplants. Students also perform an online simulation of a heart transplant to get a more realistic idea of what is involved.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Changing Lifestyles and Heart Health
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students examine and evaluate changes in diet and lifestyle from prehistoric to modern times and how these differences have spurred the development (and better treatment) of heart disease. They then use their knowledge in a debate between students representing hunter-gatherers and modern students. Students also critically examine their own diets.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Killer Windows
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a study of migratory bird deaths conducted by Field Museum scientists. The study suggests that birds are less likely to fly into windows of skyscrapers if the buildings are not brightly lit. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology
Title: Litter Life
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a study that suggests that litter might be a means for aquatic organisms to be transported from one environment into another, potentially causing problems with invasive species. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Biographies: Creating Timelines of a Life
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Description: In this lesson students explore a number of sources to create a biographical timeline about a selected person. Students collaboratively research and resolve conflicting information they find during their investigation.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: The Big Bad Wolf: Analyzing Point of View in Texts
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Description: Was the Big Bad Wolf really all that bad? This lesson encourages students to analyze multiple viewpoints, view texts from different angles, and recognize gaps in narrative.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Developing a Living Definition of Reading in the Elementary Classroom
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Description: Using the guiding question, "What is reading?" students interact with a variety of texts as they uncover the skills necessary to interact with texts and develop a definition of reading.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Exploring How Section Headings Support Understanding of Expository Texts
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Description: Nonfiction may be dull for some students, but this lesson helps them focus on the main ideas. Through awareness of section headings, students learn to sort and categorize main concepts.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: From Stop Signs to the Golden Arches: Environmental Print
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Description: Students bring the print-rich environment of the community into the classroom through the use of environmental print, enabling emergent readers to delight in the realization that they are indeed readers.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1
Subject: Arts - Photography | Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Introducing Each Other: Interviews, Memoirs, Photos, and Internet Research
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Description: Students use their communication and writing skills as they interview a partner, write an article about them, and create a multimodal presentation to introduce their partner to the class.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Listen, Look, and Learn: An Information-Gathering Process
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Description: After listening to and discussing the story Score One for the Sloths, primary students research the sloth. Students use a variety of resources, including an information wheel graphic organizer.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Literature Circles: Getting Started
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Description: Students practice different ways of collaborating to read a work of literature. They work in different roles as they compose and answer questions, discover new vocabulary, and examine literary elements.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Memories Matter: The Giver and Descriptive Writing Memoirs
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Description: Using The Giver, students discuss the importance recorded history. This provides context for descriptive writing of students’ own history in a lesson that integrates personal writing, research, and literary response.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Alphabet | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Name Talk: Exploring Letter-Sound Knowledge in the Primary Classroom
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Description: Students demonstrate their letter/sound knowledge by working with name cards and sharing observations about their classmates’ names, giving teachers an opportunity to assess knowledge in a meaningful context.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Reading Aloud
Title: Poetry: A Feast to Form Fluent Readers
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Description: Students improve their reading fluency by selecting a poem online to perform in class.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Mechanics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Sentence Quest: Using Parts of Speech to Write Descriptive Sentences
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Description: Students learn about sentences by listing verbs, nouns, and adjectives. They use word cards to create descriptive sentences and work in groups to create the longest sentences they can.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: STAR Search: How Do I Find the Book I Need?
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Description: Students become familiar with STAR Search, which provides a set of steps and thinking processes for intermediate students to use in finding library resources relevant to a specific information need.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Teaching Language Skills Using the Phone Book
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Description: Through a series of activities using the phone book, students learn to use text aids, collect information relevant to a topic, organize information, synthesize information and use key words.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Reading Aloud
Title: Text Talk: Julius, the Baby of the World
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Description: Students are asked to "talk" with Kevin Henkes’ Julius, the Baby of the World by using open-ended questions to help them interpret the language, plot, and characters of the story.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Fairy Tale Autobiographies
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Description: Students read and analyze fairy tales from several cultures, identifying common elements. Choosing common situations, students write original fairy tales, using picture books as models and a peer review process.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: The Frog Beyond the Fairy Tale Character: Searching Informational Texts
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Description: Frogs often appear as the main character in fiction stories, but what do students really know about frogs? Students find out in this lesson in which they research real-life frogs.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Using a Word Journal to Create a Personal Dictionary
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Description: Students will be the definition of vocabulary experts as they use the skills they learn in this lesson to track, define, and ultimately master unfamiliar words.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Reading Aloud
Title: Word Recognition Strategies Using Nursery Rhymes
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Description: Whether you sing or recite familiar nursery rhymes in this standard lesson, students will learn how to create and categorize words that have similar endings.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Writing Alternative Plots for Robert C. O’Brien's Z for Zachariah
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Description: Students write new endings for the science fiction novel, Z for Zachariah by exploring alternative plotlines created by making different moral choices than those made by the main character.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Writing and Assessing an Autobiographical Incident
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Description: Students build upon their knowledge of biographies to write their own autobiographical incident. After going through a process of revision, they use a rubric to assess their work.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: A Journal for Corduroy: Responding to Literature
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Description: Connect home and school, literature and life, as students take a storybook character home with them and take turns writing stories about his visit.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Active Reading Using The Enormous Watermelon
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Description: Using names and high-frequency words from nursery rhymes and the Big Book The Enormous Watermelon, students engage in word recognition activities such as character identification and a word matching game.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - World History
Title: Dynamic Duo Text Talks: Examining the Content of Internet Sites
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Description: An Observation and Inquiry Sheet guides students as they analyze and compare their reactions to the value, engagement, and credibility of three websites related to Anne Frank and the Holocaust.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Flying to Freedom: Tar Beach and The People Could Fly
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Description: Students look to the past and use historical context to compare and contrast two characters from folktales.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Grammar | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Playing with Prepositions through Poetry
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Description: Students play with and explore prepositions during a whole group reading of Ruth Heller’s Behind the Mask, and then by composing and publishing prepositional poems based on the book’s style.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Teaching Science Through Picture Books: A Rainforest Lesson
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Description: Students read Welcome to the Green House, use note-taking strategies, find patterns in text structure, learn vocabulary in context, and write efferent and affective responses to the text.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature
Title: The "Secret Society" and Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the nature of the "secret society" implied in "The Great Gatsby" through a close study of the text, an examination of Fitzgerald's letters and other statements, and a consideration of class, wealth, and status during the turbulent 1920's. Students combine critical thinking, textual analysis, and imaginative writing skills to write a "credo" for the "secret society" implied in "The Great Gatsby."
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy
Title: Looking into Space
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students learn how telescopes work, build a model of their own, and consider how real telescopes can be used to ask--and help answer--questions about the universe. This activity is based on instructions and information from the Exploratorium Web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Watch Your Thoughts! Diagnostic Imaging and the Brain
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Description: This lesson, from Science NetLinks, provides students with a brief introduction to various diagnostic imaging technologies used in brain research. They explore how these technologies have provided answers about the structure and function of the brain and the new questions they have enabled scientists to ask. Keep in mind that the focus is on the imaging technologies themselves, and not on the detailed structure and function of the brain.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Pharmacology
Title: Anthrax Antibodies
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear an interview with George Georgiou about efforts to make a better vaccine against anthrax. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Lunar Cycle 1: Calendar
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Description: This tool, created by Science NetLinks, includes printable calendars on which students can record their observations of the moon. In addition, it provides illustrations of the phases of the moon (a full lunar cycle) that can be printed, cut out, and given to students, allowing for a hands-on activity in which students place the phases of the moon in the correct sequence on a calendar. While this page links to the overview of the tool for grades 3-5, you can access reviews for additional grades and benchmarks using the navigation tools at the top of the overview.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Earth science | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Lunar Cycle 2: The Challenge
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Description: In this tool, created by Science NetLinks, students "drag" moons to their correct places in lunar cycles. There are calendars that include illustrations of the phases of the moon for most days, and the challenge is for students to complete the calendars by filling them with the correct moon phases for all days. A child's voice narrates the activity, providing students with ongoing feedback and guidance. There are three levels in this Lunar Cycle Challenge, and after students successfully complete all three levels they can print out a certificate of completion. There is also a printable version of this tool, allowing for a hands-on activity in which students manipulate illustrations of the phases of the moon, placing them in the correct sequence in lunar cycles. While this page links to the overview of the tool for grades 3-5, you can access reviews for additional grades and benchmarks using the navigation tools at the top of the overview.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Jack London's The Call of the Wild: "Nature Faker"?
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students analyze Jack London's "The Call of the Wild." They take a stand on whether London can be called a "nature faker" and on what he is attempting to communicate through his portrayal of Buck. They support their stands with historical evidence or evidence from the text. Finally, students write an essay, complete with hypothesis and textual support, on London's approach to the animal story in "The Call of the Wild."
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Metaphorical Gold: Mining the Gold Rush for Stories
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students research the Gold Rush era to provide authentic background for their own fictional prose. By "mining" online databases for primary texts and period photographs, students can explore the Klondike Stampede and glean from their visit sufficient period details to help them create their own narratives based on the Gold Rush. While the emphasis of this lesson is on history and research rather than literature, selections from Jack London's "The Call of the Wild" are used to provide focus and structure for students' research in online databases of primary sources, and to serve as models of vivid narrative prose for students' own stories.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Engineering
Title: What Floats Your Boat?
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the second in a three-part series on ships, students use what they have learned about ship design (along with some additional information on the Web about how ships are built) to design and build a small model boat, using limited materials. They then develop a procedure to determine the load line for their boat while it is in "calm" waters. Finally, they test their boat in "rough" waters to determine whether the load line is a practical one.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Mercury
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Description: In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students have the chance to view the solar system and identify the sun and planets that compose it. They are introduced to the planet Mercury and develop an understanding of the planet's composition, geology, and other important characteristics.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Solar Power from Moon
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about an ambitious plan to get around a problem with the reliability of solar energy. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biology
Title: Feather Analysis
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a technique for tracking the migration of songbirds that involves analyzing their feathers. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Weaving the Threads: Integrating Poetry Annotation and Web Technology
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Description: Students read a poem by a Native American, explore Native American culture and then create a Website that explains words and phrases from the poem.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Alphabet | Language Arts - Reading
Title: What's in a Name? Teaching Concepts of Letter and Word
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Description: In this recurring activity, the process of choosing a helper for the day becomes a literacy activity, with the helper's name as a starting place for reading and writing.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Have Journal...Will Travel: Promoting Family Involvement in Literacy
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Description: Students build positive memories of literacy activities when they take turns taking home a book bag stuffed with items to encourage literacy interactions with their families.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Seasonal Haiku: Writing Poems to Celebrate Any Season
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Description: After listening to haiku poetry, students use seasonal descriptive words to write their own haiku, following the traditional format. They then publish their poems by mounting them on illustrated backgrounds.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Expository Escapade?Detective’s Handbook
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Description: Students create a Detective's Handbook based on a detective mystery they have read. The handbooks include expository and descriptive writing, as well as a letter.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Reading and Writing Workshop: Freak the Mighty
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Description: Students use a variety of reading and writing strategies as they read Rodman Philbrick’s Freak the Mighty.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Composing Cinquain Poems with Basic Parts of Speech
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Description: Reinforce student understanding of parts of speech through the analysis of sample cinquain poems followed by the creation of original cinquains.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Literature Circles with Primary Students Using Self-Selected Reading
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Description: Students respond to self-selected books in journals, and talk about their books daily in small groups. The teacher guides students by offering suggestions and writing with them in dialogue journals.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Draw a Story: Stepping from Pictures to Writing
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Description: Students draw a series of pictures that tell a story, including character action, problem and solution. They ‘read’ their story to others, transcribe it into writing, and create an accordion book.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1
Subject: Arts - Filmmaking | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Get the Reel Scoop: Comparing Books to Movies
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Description: Students compare a book to its film adaptation, and then perform readers theater of a scene from the book that they feel was not well represented in the movie version.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Theater | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Learning to Learn with Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster
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Description: Modeled on the activities in Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster, a picture book, students combine vocabulary exploration with word play by planning their own vocabulary parade.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject:
Title: Using Folk Tales: Vowel Influences on the Letter G
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Description: Gentle, gigantic, graceful?do these g words describe the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk? Students will explore the hard and soft g sounds by studying fairy tales and animals.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Listening Comprehension | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Let's Talk About Stories: Shared Discussion With Amazing Grace
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Description: Make space for critical literacy and engage students in meaningful, thoughtful discussions. Using Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman, students dig deep into themes such as prejudice, courage, and self-confidence.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Alphabet | Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Student of the Day: Create Sound/Letter Understanding With Names
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Description: Name games make learning letters fun and interactive in this lesson where students get to know more about each other as they spell out their classmates’ names.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: My World of Words: Building Vocabulary Lists
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Description: Working in small groups, students select vocabulary words and research their meanings. In a culminating activity that uses text and illustration, each student creates a "My World of Words Journal."
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Exploring Compare and Contrast Structure in Expository Texts
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Description: Students build their understanding of the terms compare and contrast by participating in class discussions, using Internet resources, working collaboratively, and by visually representing information in a Venn diagram.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Can You Convince Me? Developing Persuasive Writing
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Description: Through a classroom game and resource handouts, students learn about the techniques used in persuasive oral arguments and apply them to independent persuasive writing activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Cosmic Oranges: Observation and Inquiry Through Descriptive Writing and Art
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Description: Students will eat up this lesson about oranges as they practice the skills that help them investigate and make detailed observations for descriptive purposes.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Spelling | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Shared Spelling Strategies
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Description: Students increase their spelling accuracy and retention, while preserving fluency, by using sound, sight recall, and analyzing strategies instead of memorizing words, as they deal with spelling during drafting.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Story Character Homepage
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Description: Students analyze personal homepages, as well as a character in a book they have read, and then create a homepage for the character.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Composing Cinquain Poems: A Quick-Writing Activity
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Description: Students use themed graphic organizers to compose cinquain poems on topics common in the early elementary classroom.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Using Children’s Natural Curiosity to Lead to Descriptive Writing
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Description: Inspired by the book It Begins with an A, kindergarten students are invited to turn their curiosity and guesswork into a class book, complete with illustrated objects and descriptive language
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: A Daily DEAR Program: Drop Everything, and Read!
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Description: The teacher shouts, "Drop Everything and Read!" and students settle into their seats to read books they've selected. This independent reading program helps students build a lifelong reading habit.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Bright Morning: Exploring Character Development in Fiction
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Description: Students work as a class to explore a character in a book they have read by identifying traits and finding textual references to support their choices.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Native Americans Today
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Description: This lesson challenges students' views of Native Americans as a vanished people by asking them to compare their prior knowledge with information they gather while reading about contemporary Native Americans.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Stapleless Book
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Description: This student interactive, used in several ReadWriteThinks, allows users to create an eight page book. Students choose a title for their book and then add pages by choosing from various templates. When they are done, they can print their work.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: "Holes" Found Poem Word Mover
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Description: This student interactive, used in several ReadWriteThink lessons, allows students to manipulate the words in an excerpt from "Holes" by Louis Sachar to create a found or parallel poem. Students can add words, remove words, and move them within the passage to create new line breaks.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology
Title: Why Are Species Endangered?
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Description: This lesson from Science NetLinks is the first of a two-part series on endangered species. This first lesson introduces and explores the various issues and problems faced by endangered species globally. Following a webquest-style format, students research the plight of endangered species, create a poster of a selected animal, and present their poster, and research to the class.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Ecology
Title: Working to Save Endangered Species
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson is the second of a two-part series on endangered species. Students view an online presentation about endangered species then role-play a debate about spotted owl protection from the point of view of lumber workers, environmental activists, and government and scientific interests.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Rat Sleep
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about research that indicates that the true purpose of dreaming is learning. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Psychology
Title: Sticky Mittens
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about research that shows how babies might be helped to learn. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Arctic Terns from North to South
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students map the arctic tern's migration route and consider why it migrates so far. They conclude by writing paragraphs describing the arctic tern's migration route and explaining how they think it knows when it's time to migrate.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Caribou Migration
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces students to caribou and their migratory behavior. Students learn some basic facts about caribou and map the migration route of the Porcupine caribou herd of Alaska and northwestern Canada. They conclude by drawing pictures of scenes along this migration route and writing captions to describe their drawings.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Elephant Seals on the Beach
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students consider the fact that northern elephant seals, like many animals, select very different locations for different activities. Adult seals spend most of their time swimming around the northeastern Pacific and feeding in deep waters, but they come to shore twice a year to breed, give birth, and molt. Since it's much easier to observe and record elephant seals on the beach than in the ocean, students concentrate on some of these beach activities by viewing photographs and videos of elephant seals. They draw pictures pretending they have visited one of the rookery beaches.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Leatherback Sea Turtles and Their Special Compasses
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Description: In this lesson from Xpeditions, students learn some basic information about leatherback sea turtles and hypothesize about why individual leatherbacks were able to find their way from Costa Rica to the Galápagos Islands without any obvious navigational aids. They learn to use compasses and hear about research indicating that leatherbacks might have their own internal compasses. Finally, students draw pictures of people and leatherbacks navigating the ocean and write paragraphs to explain their drawings.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Whooping Cranes and Their Human Friends
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson shows students how people are helping endangered whooping cranes by teaching cranes raised in captivity how to live in the wild and how to migrate. Students view videos or photographs of whooping cranes being raised by mechanical crane-like puppets and being led in their first migration journeys by piloted ultralight aircraft disguised as birds. They conclude by creating timelines showing the process by which whooping cranes are raised in captivity and taught migration routes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Wildebeest Migration
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Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students make maps of the wildebeest migration route in eastern Africa. They look at wildebeest photographs and write stories about wildebeests and their migration.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Voting Rights for Women: Pro- and Anti-Suffrage
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students research archival material to examine nineteenth and early-twentieth-century arguments for and against women's suffrage. They learn what attitudes about women and their relationships with men had to be overcome before women could take their rightful place in American society.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - State History | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Women's Suffrage: Why the West First?
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students compile information to examine hypotheses explaining why the first nine states to grant full voting rights for women were located in the West. The take a stand, supported by historical evidence, as to whether or not a single theory can explain why the Western states were the first to grant full voting rights to women.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Drama | Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Dramatizing History in Arthur Miller's The Crucible
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students consider how Arthur Miller interpreted the facts of the Salem witch trials and how he successfully dramatized them in his play, "The Crucible." Students examine some of Miller's historical sources: biographies of key players and transcripts of the Salem Witch trials themselves. The students also read a summary of the historical events in Salem and study a timeline. The students then read "The Crucible" itself.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature
Title: Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce, and the Unreliable Narrator
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students consider a variety of narrative stances in Edgar Allen Poe's short story, "Tell Tale Heart," and Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." They examine how Ambrose Bierce and Edgar Allan Poe used narration to create their intended effect in the reader.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Psychology
Title: Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce, and the Unreliable Biographers
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Description: In this EDSITEment lesson, students become literary sleuths, attempting to separate biographical reality from myth. They also become careful critics, taking a stand on whether extra-literary materials such as biographies and letters should influence the way readers understand a writer's texts.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Pioneer Values in Willa Cather's My Antonia
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students learn about the social and historical context of Willa Cather's "My Antonia." They work in groups to explore Cather's commentary on fortitude, hard work, faithfulness, and other values that we associate with pioneer life.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Reading Aloud | Science - Entomology
Title: Multipurpose Poetry: Introducing Science Concepts and Increasing Fluency
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Description: Creepy crawlers, hoppers, and fliers are the focus of this lesson in which students chorally read poems about insects and use the Internet to locate facts about their assigned insects.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Myth and Truth: The “First Thanksgiving”
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Description: By exploring myths surrounding the Wampanoag, the pilgrims, and the "First Thanksgiving," this lesson asks students to think critically about commonly believed myths regarding the Wampanoag Indians in colonial America.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Astronomy
Title: Sky Watching
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students make their own night-sky observations, diagram and describe what they see, and then look at pictures taken by telescopes. They compare the two ways of observing to confirm what telescopes can reveal about the night sky. They also learn about Galileo and contemplate how the telescope helped him make his discoveries 400 years ago.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology
Title: Model Volcanoes
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore volcanoes through the making of models and reflect upon their learning through drawing sketches of their models. Once they have finished making their models, they experiment with making their volcanoes erupt. Students observe how eruption changes the original form of their volcano models. In this way, students see first hand how this type of phenomena creates physical change.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Science - General Science
Title: Art Algorithms
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about new methods of art conservation. Art conservation is traditionally a painstaking and time-consuming business. But the process of fixing up a damaged da Vinci or a scarred Seurat may become a lot easier, thanks to the work of mathematicians. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Engineering
Title: Gait Recognition
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about one method of analyzing the way a person walks. Whether you've got a bounce in your stride or a swing in your step, the way you walk is more distinctive than you might realize. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Liquid Density and Oil Spills
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students conduct a simple experiment demonstrating the variable densities of corn syrup, water, glycerin, and vegetable oil. Students then transfer this concept to an examination of cleanup methods used in the Exxon Valdez oil spill. They conclude by writing paragraphs hypothesizing what would happen during an oil spill if oil and water were the same density and therefore mixed together easily.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: To Build an Island
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson gives students a basic overview of the geography of islands. They learn where islands are located throughout the world and study two very different island groups (the Philippines and the British Isles) to illustrate the diversity of the world's islands. Students explore the islands' flora and fauna, languages, climates, and cultures.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: How Are Islands Formed?
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson provides students with information about how islands are formed, including a basic knowledge of plate tectonics. Using the islands of Hawaii as an example, students learn about the Earth processes that cause the formation of islands over time, including volcanoes and "hot spots."
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Coral Bleaching: Making Our Oceans Whiter
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Description: In this lesson from Xpeditions, students learn what coral reefs are and about the different types of reefs, study the ecology surrounding these biological playgrounds, and explore the human impact on them. Additionally, this lesson provides an opportunity for students to debate whether human contact should be impeded around coral reefs, a constructive approach for defending controversial environmental issues.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Red Badge of Courage: A New Kind of Courage
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the values of courage and patriotism in Stephen Crane's "The Red Badge of Courage." They closely read Chapter 23 and compare it with a more traditional tale of combat and a systematic look at an early reviewer's accusations. Using their new understanding, students are asked to select one of three published endings to "The Red Badge of Courage" best suited to their understanding of Crane's exploration of values in the novel.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Red Badge of Courage: A New Kind of Realism
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students compare specific excerpts from Stephen Crane's "The Red Badge of Courage" to first-hand accounts of Civil War battles, in text and images. They also list elements of Crane's style that contribute to the novel's realism. To conclude, they create a first-person account that employs the basic stylistic characteristics of "The Red Badge of Courage."
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Finding Figurative Language in The Phantom Tollbooth
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Description: Students examine figurative language in The Phantom Tollbooth and create a chart representing the literal and figurative meanings of words and phrases.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: In the Poet's Shoes: Performing Poetry and Building Meaning
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Description: Students take poetic license when they interpret William Carlos William's poem "The Red Wheelbarrow" to help create a poem of their own.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Book Clubs: Reading for Fun
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Description: This lesson describes how small groups of students can plan meetings to discuss what they've read in a "just for fun" book club they've organized?and that they control.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Alphabet | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Using Repetition and Picture Cues to Foster Independent Young Readers
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Description: Kindergartners share their knowledge of letters and sounds in a large group setting, giving teachers an assessment opportunity. Each student contributes a page to make a repetitive classroom book.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Battling for Liberty: Tecumseh’s and Patrick Henry’s Language of Resistance
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Description: Students study Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech and the ways Native Americans also resisted oppression through rhetoric and action.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Writing Reports in Kindergarten? Yes!
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Description: This lesson encourages young students to see themselves as writers with a message to convey. Three types of reports are provided to show what kindergartners and emergent writers can do.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Launching Family Message Journals
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Description: This lesson introduces Family Message Journals?a teacher-tested tool for encouraging family involvement and supporting writing to reflect and to learn.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Science - Natural History
Title: Abrupt Climate Change
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson focuses on a current issue in science in order to help students understand the process by which scientific knowledge is developed and refined. In this lesson, students are introduced to some recent ideas about abrupt climate change. This gives them a glimpse into how scientific theories are formed and refined by new data.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Lizard Mates
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about what female lizards look for when selecting a mate. Research shows that the lizards are more interested in the male's territory than his size. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Eye of the Hurricane
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Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to the structure of a hurricane, particularly the eye. It could be used as an introduction to a unit on hurricanes or weather phenomena. Students view a video about hurricanes, do a simple hurricane simulation, take a tour into the eye of a hurricane, and write reports about their tour.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Antarctic Ecosystem: Where Would it Be Without Krill?
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Description: This lesson from Xpeditions asks students to investigate the importance of krill, a thumb-sized, shrimplike animal, to the Antarctic ecosystem by researching the animals that depend on it and drawing a food web. They conclude by writing paragraphs explaining the potential consequences of a decline in krill populations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: DNA and Endangered Species
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Description: In this lesson from Xpeditions, students learn some basics about DNA and genetics and then learn how DNA can be used to study and help endangered animals. They visit a Web site with information about specific research projects and write paragraphs explaining how DNA and genetics research might be used to help an endangered or threatened species.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Photosynthesis, Trees, and the Greenhouse Effect
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students study photosynthesis and then then transfer their understanding of this topic to a consideration of how trees can help reduce the negative impacts of the greenhouse effect. They read a Web page describing the greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide's role as a greenhouse gas, and the role of humans in exacerbating this effect.
Students also browse the Web site of an organization that sponsors tree planting programs and consider how these programs might help reduce or slow down the increase of the greenhouse effect. They conclude by writing paragraphs telling younger kids about the benefits of trees and plants.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Safety | Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Understanding Disasters
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Description: In this student activity from Xpeditions, students create an action plan so they and their families can be prepared if faced with a disaster. Students and their parents use Web sites from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency to create their plan.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Ancient Greece
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Description: In this Xpeditions student activity, students design a new subway station in Athens that includes a museum of ancient artifacts, artworks, and ruins. For background information, they examine a map and an article about an actual Metro Museum in Athens.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Alliteration in Headline Poems
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Description: Students will be introduced to the term alliteration and create a headline poem consisting of 25 words that contain at least three examples of alliteration.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: She Did What? Revising for Connotation
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Description: Did she walk, skip, amble, dance? In this minilesson, students explore connotation by acting out and revising the simple sentence "She walked into the room."
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Save Our Animals
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, provides directions and links needed for students to complete a project in which they create a campaign to increase awareness about endangered species.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Journalism | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: The 21st Century Save Our Animals Project
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Description: In this reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, guidelines are given for a team project in which students create a poster to increase awareness about one endangered animal.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Critical Ways of Seeing The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in Context
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, asks students to combine Internet historical research with critical reading. They then produce several writing assignments exploring what readers see in "Huckleberry Finn" and why they see it that way.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Spelling | Language Arts - Whole Language
Title: The Two Voices of the ow Spelling Pattern
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Description: Variable vowels are the focus of this lesson; students use nursery rhymes and ow to study how vowels can change their sounds according to different spelling patterns.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Exploring World Cultures Through Folk Tales
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Description: Journey around the world with students as they read a Japanese, African, or Welsh folk tale, create a visual depiction of the tale, research the tale's culture, and present findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Family Message Journals Teach Many Purposes for Writing
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Description: This lesson encourages children to explore authentic reasons for writing by writing messages to their family in a family message journal.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Growing Readers and Writers with Help from Mother Goose
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Description: Watch Mother Goose work her magic! This lesson uses nursery rhymes to help emergent readers remember the letters and their sounds and identify word chunks.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K
Subject: Language Arts - Listening Comprehension | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: It Doesn’t Have to End That Way: Using Prediction Strategies with Literature
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Description: After listening to the beginning of a story, students use details in the text, personal experience, and prior knowledge to predict the way the story will end.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: When Things Start Heating Up
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Description: This lesson, from Science NetLinks, is intended to give students a general idea of how heat is produced from human-based activities and mechanical and electrical machines. Students participate in a number of hands-on activities that help them better identify and investigate what situations and conditions do or do not produce heat.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: The Warmth of the Sun
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Description: In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students take a closer look at the sun and begin to recognize its critical function in heating and warming the air, land, and water that sustain our lives. This involves drawing their attention to the basics of the heat around them and how the sun is the primary source of that warmth. They then perform a number of indoor and outdoor activities that help them begin to identify the sun as the natural, universal source of heat in the world.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Transplant Tolerance
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how research into why the eye doesn't swell if injured could someday help organ transplant patients. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Cold Car Start
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear how wind chill affects car engines. Wind makes the temperature feel colder because it carries heat away from our bodies; it affects car engines in a similar way. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Pharmacology
Title: Healing Grapes
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about efforts to boost the positive effects of some free radicals. Scientists have discovered that a compound found in grape seeds turns into a free radical when it's applied directly to wounds, promoting new blood vessel and skin growth. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Oil and Water in the Middle East Region
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students explore the roles of oil and water in the Middle East, especially in Iraq. Students use maps to look at the distribution of oil in the Middle East and discuss what it means for the different countries in the region. They also examine how water has influenced the region historically (in the "fertile crescent" region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers) and politically (for example, how Iraq's access to water is limited to one small part of its border). Finally, they study specific aspects of Iraq's struggles with water, using satellite imagery to understand and illustrate the problem.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Journalism | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Daily Life in the Middle East
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to focus on the people of Iraq. They think critically about what the media delivers--specifically, why it focuses so heavily on war coverage and how this may contribute to skewed views of Iraq and its people. Students explore Iraq's rich cultural history and read online articles or print publications about daily life in Iraq. Finally, in small groups, they study further one aspect of daily life in Iraq (or another country in the Middle East) and create presentations for the rest of the class.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Heart Transplant
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, guides students through a series of online activities related to the human heart, heart disease, and substitute hearts.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Heart 1: Transplant: Class Discussion Teacher Sheet
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Description: This teacher sheet accompanies the Science NetLinks lesson, "Heart 1: Transplant." On this sheet, teachers will find suggested responses to questions posed about the heart on the student e-sheet.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Natural History
Title: Changing Lifestyles and Heart Health
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, guides students in exploring Web sites about heart disease research. Students then respond to questions based on the information they have read.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Heart 2: Changing Lifestyles and Heart Health - Student Assessment
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students respond to questions about heart disease treatment and research.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Heart 2: Changing Lifestyles and Heart Health - Student Quiz
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Description: This quiz, from a Science NetLinks lesson, is a multiple choice quiz wherein students respond to questions about the causes and treatment of heart disease.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Heart 2: Changing Lifestyles and Heart Health - Teacher Answer Sheet
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Description: This teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains appropriate responses to discussion questions posed on the student sheet about the causes and treatment of heart disease.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Music | Arts - Visual Arts | Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Foreign Languages - Vocabulary | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Spelling | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Geometry | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Quiz Hub
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Description: Kids Hub is a noncommercial educational portal for upper elementary school and middle school students. It includes free online interactive learning games, puzzles, and quizzes. This home page is organized into sections with links to activities including news quizzes, test preparation and a question of the day. Educators can access a teacher section from the main page.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Music | Arts - Visual Arts | Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Alphabet | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Sesame Street
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Description: This Web site supports the well-loved early learning television program, Sesame Street. The site is in two parts: Sesame Street is aimed at children and includes games, stories, art activities, music activities, Elmo's World, and an opportunity to send e-cards; Sesame Workshop is mainly for parents, with information on the TV program, the site's content and its global outreach, as well as additional children's activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2 | 3
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: A Raisin in the Sun: The Quest for the American Dream
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Description: In lesson, from EDSITEment, critical reading and analysis of the play "A Raisin in the Sun" is complemented with a close examination of biographical and historical documents that students use as the basis for creating speeches, essays and scripts. The play, by Lorraine Hansberry, chronicles the history of the Younger family as they attempt to escape ghetto life in 1950s America.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Interactive Geometry Dictionary: Areas in Geometry
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, demonstrates how to find the area of three common shapes. Interactive investigations demonstrate finding the area of a rectangle, parallelogram, and triangle.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Interactive Geometry Dictionary: Lines in Geometry
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, explores lines and their importance to geometry. Students can investigate the definitions and properties of perpendicular lines, segments, medians, Euler lines, and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Critical Media Literacy: Commercial Advertising
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Description: By looking at advertising and mass media critically, students begin to understand how the media oppresses certain groups, convinces people to purchase certain products, and influences culture.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Traveling Terrain: Comprehending Nonfiction Text on the Web
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Description: Students locate specific information, identify text features of nonfiction text, and write to generalize information on related topics.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Who’s Got Mail? Using Literature to Promote Authentic Letter Writing
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Description: Students discuss and chart letter elements and write their own letters to adults at school, reinforcing letter-writing skills beyond the classroom lesson.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: What Makes Poetry? Exploring Line Breaks
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Description: Students read various poems and explore why lines are broken where they are and how they affect rhythm, sound, meaning, and appearance in poetry.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: How Big Are Martin’s Big Words? Thinking Big about the Future
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Description: Inspired by the book Martin’s Big Words, students explore information on Dr. King to think about his "big" words, then they write about their own "big" words and dreams.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: "I Have a Dream" Found Poem Word Mover
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Description: In this student interactive, used in several ReadWriteThink lessons, students can move the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech to create a found poem.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Filmmaking | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Writing a Flashback and Flash-Forward Story Using Movies and Texts as Models
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Description: Using the film The Sandlot, students are introduced to the literary devices of flashbacks and flash-forwards. They then write their own stories using those devices.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Move it! With Simple Machines
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students start by discussing a couple of the simple machines and what their purpose might be. Then, after reading a short page on each simple machine, they discuss how the simple machines function. Hands-on exploration of the machines leads into the discussion and realization that these tools are the base for almost any machine or more complex tool that we use.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Satellite Orbits
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Description: In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students refine and expand their understanding of gravity, forces, and motion in the context of satellite orbits. This lesson is most appropriate for students who have already had instruction in the forces acting on falling bodies and gravity.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: DNA Chips
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Description: In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students conduct activities from a module called "DNA Chips: A Genetics Lab in the Palm of Your Hand." This module is part of the National Institutes of Health Snapshots series, which focuses on a single area of biomedical research to help students understand how science, people, ethics, and history all fit together. Each Snapshot includes a classroom activity to help students understand the scientific concepts, a short summary of the issue, and diagrams that can be turned into overheads. The module for this lesson is about the DNA microarray, also known as a DNA chip.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: All Systems are Go!
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Description: In this tool, created by Science NetLinks, a fictional character, Arnold is missing a number of body parts. Students are presented with a body system and a variety of organs, which they drag and drop into Arnold's body. While this page links to the overview of the tool for grades 3-5, you can access reviews for additional grades and benchmarks using the navigation tools at the top of the overview.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Science - Biology | Science - Geology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Mark Twain's Cave
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the cave described in Mark Twain's famous novel, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." They read a passage from the book and learn about how the cave has been used throughout history. Students explore the Internet to learn about the geology of the real cave and about animals and plants that live in caves.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biology | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Rivers: Lifelines of the Land
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Description: This Xpeditions lesson introduces students to river ecology and addresses the societal and environmental impacts associated with dams and their construction. After learning about dams and their effects on the environment, students propose the construction or abolition of a dam in their hometown or other geographic area. They think objectively and critically about real issues affecting the future of rivers.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - General Science
Title: Drying Dishes
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear how a quirk of dish drying shows off a fundamental idea behind the chemistry of water. Because of their different compositions, plastic takes a lot longer to dry than glass. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Seasonal Haiku Reproducibles
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Description: This student interactive, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, allows students to choose from three reproducible line drawings of leaf forms in which they can type a Haiku poem. The poem can then be printed out. Alternatively, the blank forms can be printed and used as handouts.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Science - Astronomy | Science - Physics
Title: Stars and the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students respond to questions about the relationship between the temperatures and brightness of stars.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Physics
Title: Stars and the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram - Teacher Sheet
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Description: This reproducible teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains responses to student questions about the temperature and brightness of stars.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Product Game
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Description: This interactive game, from Illuminations, exercises students' skills with factors and multiples. Players take turns moving a marker along a number line to create products, which are then colored in on the game board. The object of the game is to get four squares in a row.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Electronic Abacus
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, explores the use of an abacus model for representing numbers and for performing addition. Students can work through several different activities, all of which explore addition.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Fraction Models
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, explores several representations for fractions using adjustable numerators and denominators. Students can see decimal and percent equivalents, as well as a model that represents each fraction.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Creating, Describing, and Analyzing Patterns to Recognize Relationships and Make Predictions: Extending Pattern Understandings
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Description: This is part three of a three-part e-example from Illuminations that highlights different aspects of students' understanding and use of patterns. This part, Extending Pattern Understandings, demonstrates ways in which students begin to create a "unit of units," or a grouping that can be repeated, and begin to relate two patterns in a functional relationship. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (PSSM). Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math Investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Investigating the Concept of Triangle and Properties of Polygons: Creating Polygons
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Description: This is part two of a two-part e-example from Illuminations that describes activities that use interactive geoboards to help students identify simple geometric shapes, describe their properties, and develop spatial sense. In this second part, Creating Polygons, students make and compare a variety of polygons, describing the salient properties of the shapes they create. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (PSSM). Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math Investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Developing Geometry Understandings and Spatial Skills through Puzzlelike Problems with Tangrams: Tangram Challenges
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Description: This is part two of a two-part e-example from Illuminations that demonstrates the potential for high-quality experiences provided by computer "shape" environments for students as they learn concepts described in the Geometry Standard. In this second part, Tangram Challenges, students can use tangram pieces to form given polygons. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (PSSM). Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math Investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Learning about Number Relationships and Properties of Numbers Using Calculators and Hundred Boards: Patterns to 100 and Beyond
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Description: This is part two of a two-part e-example from Illuminations that furnishes a visual way of highlighting and displaying various patterns and relationships among numbers. Using calculators and hundred boards together, teachers can encourage students to communicate their thinking with others. In this second part, Patterns to 100 and Beyond, students examine number patterns, using a calculator to move beyond 100. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (PSSM). Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math Investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Collecting, Representing, and Interpreting Data Using Spreadsheets and Graphing Software: Representing and Interpreting Data
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Description: This is part two of a two-part e-example from Illuminations that illustrates how weather data can be collected and examined using these spreadsheets and graphing software. In this second part, Representing and Interpreting Data, students use the graphing functions of a spreadsheet to help them interpret data. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (PSSM). Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math Investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Tracking Hurricanes
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, guides students in an online exploration of the technology used in tracking hurricanes. In addition to learning about tracking systems, students study and interpret weather maps.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Meteorology
Title: Tracking Hurricanes: Teacher Sheet
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Description: This reproducible teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, provides sample responses to questions about hurricanes and hurricane tracking posed to students in the online lesson.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Student Reading Log Form
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, allows students to record information about books they read, including title, author, number of pages, date started and date completed. There is also a space to rate each book they read.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: What Is Character?
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, presents an explanation of character as it pertains to literature.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Learning about Length, Perimeter, Area, and Volume of Similar Objects by Using Interactive Figures: Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids
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Description: This is part two of a two-part e-example from Illuminations that illustrates how students can learn about the length, perimeter, area, and volume of similar objects using dynamic figures. In this part, Side Length, Volume, and Surface Area of Similar Solids, the user can manipulate the scale factor that links two three-dimensional rectangular prisms and learn about the relationships among edge lengths, surface areas, and volumes. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (PSSM). Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math Investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Understanding Congruence, Similarity, and Symmetry Using Transformations and Interactive Figures: Identifying Unknown Transformations
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Description: This is part two of a four-part e-example from Illuminations that features interactive figures that allow a user to manipulate a shape and observe its behavior under a particular transformation or composition of transformations. In this part, Identifying Unknown Transformations, the user is challenged to identify the transformation that a shape has undergone. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (PSSM). Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math Investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Understanding Congruence, Similarity, and Symmetry Using Transformations and Interactive Figures: Composing Reflections
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Description: This is part three of a four-part e-example from Illuminations that features interactive figures that allow a user to manipulate a shape and observe its behavior under a particular transformation or composition of transformations. In this part, Composing Reflections, users can examine the result of reflecting a shape successively through two different lines. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (PSSM). Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math Investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Understanding Congruence, Similarity, and Symmetry Using Transformations and Interactive Figures: Composing Transformations
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Description: This is part four of a four-part e-example from Illuminations that features interactive figures that allow a user to manipulate a shape and observe its behavior under a particular transformation or composition of transformations. In this part, Composing Transformations, the users are challenged to compose equivalent transformations in two different ways. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (PSSM). Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math Investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Learning about Properties of Vectors and Vector Sums Using Dynamic Software: Sums of Vectors and Their Properties
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Description: This is part two of a two-part e-example from Illuminations that illustrates how using a dynamic geometrical representation can help students develop an understanding of vectors and their properties. In this part, Sums of Vectors and Their Properties, students extend their knowledge of number systems to the system of vectors. e-Math Investigations are selected e-examples from the electronic version of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (PSSM). Given their interactive nature and focused discussion tied to the PSSM document, the e-examples are natural companions to the i-Math Investigations.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Sample Cinquains
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, contains several sample cinquains, along with a graphic organizer and reflection questions for students to write and evaluate their original poems.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - General Science | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: Groups We Belong To
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Description: In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students begin to think about and identify different kinds of groups. They see that people are born into certain groups and that they join others. They also explore the circumstances that surround group affiliation and participation.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: Groups We Join
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students examine a photograph and respond to questions about the group members shown.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Family Life | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: Family Rules, Expectations, and Behavior - Student Sheet
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students respond to questions about how rules are developed and enforced in their homes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: Peer Group Rules, Expectations and Behavior
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students respond to questions about stated and unstated rules in their peer groups.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Amazing Grace Cinquain Graphic Organizer
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Description: This printable graphic organizer, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides students with a sample cinquain about the story "Amazing Grace" and then guides students through the process of writing their own cinquain poem.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Favorite Books File
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, guides students as they write reviews of their favorite books.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Physics | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Take the Tele-Challenge: Teacher Sheet
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Description: This reproducible teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains sample responses to questions posed to students about telescopes and what they tell us about the universe.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Physics | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Looking Into Space: E-sheet
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, has students make a telescope model and explore how real telescopes help us learn about the universe.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Learning Geometry and Measurement Concepts by Creating Paths and Navigating Mazes: Hiding Ladybug
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Description: This stand-alone applet is part of the Illuminations lesson titled "Helping Ladybug Hide with Arrows and Angles." In the lesson, students use this applet to hide a ladybug under a leaf.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Peace Poems and Picasso Doves: Literature, Art, Technology, and Poetry
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Description: Students apply think-aloud strategies to reading and to composition of artwork and poetry. They research symbols of peace as they prewrite, compose, and publish their poetry.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Reading Graphic Organizer
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Description: Using this printable graphic organizer, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, students record questions, plot summary, the main idea and their personal responses when reading "An Angel for Solomon Singer."
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Teacher Modeling: PowerPoint Pathfinder
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Description: This printable handout, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, guides teachers and students as they create a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: The Big, Bad Wolf...Is This a Fact?
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Description: Reading is revamped in this lesson in which students use a multimedia approach to study the books by Seymour Simon.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: From Fact to Fiction: Drawing and Writing Stories
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Description: Students gather factual information about frogs and toads to create nonfiction and fiction stories. Drawing is used for prewriting.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Using THIEVES to Preview Nonfiction Texts
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Description: Students become "thieves" in this lesson as they use a previewing strategy to "steal" information from textbooks and other nonfiction texts before actually reading them.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Spelling | Language Arts - Vocabulary | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Teaching Short-Vowel Discrimination Using Dr. Seuss Rhymes
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Description: Through the contrast of short-vowel patterns and use of Dr. Seuss rhymes, students apply their knowledge of vowel sounds in reading and spelling new words.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: Literature as a Catalyst for Social Action: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges
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Description: Students are invited to confront and discuss issues of injustice and intolerance reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Spelling | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Dr. Seuss’s Sound Words: Playing with Phonics and Spelling
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Description: Boom! Br-r-ring! Cluck! Moo!?Everywhere you turn, you find exciting sounds. Students use these sounds to write their own poems based on Dr. Seuss's Mr. Brown Can MOO! Can You?
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Using Picture Books to Teach Characterization in Writing Workshop
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Description: Students explore character development through experiences with picture books. They learn about the connections between reading and writing and apply the information they learn to revisions of their own writing.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Story Mapping
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Description: This student interactive, used in several ReadWriteThink lessons, provides a set of graphic organizers to assist teachers and students in prewriting and postreading activities. The organizers are intended to focus on the key elements of a story which include character, conflict, resolution and setting.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Weekend News! A Weekly Writing Activity
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Description: On Monday mornings, you’re likely to be asked, “What did you do this weekend?” In this lesson, students respond to this question in a self-assessed writing assignment about their weekend adventures.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: What Makes a 4?
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides a list of strategies used by good writers.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Getting the ig in Pig: Helping Children Discover Onset and Rime
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Description: Students will need their language-building hard hats as they construct words using onset and rime, building vocabulary and phonics comprehension.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Whole Language
Title: Presentation Rubric
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Description: This rubric, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, allows teachers to assess students' performances on both multimedia and oral presentations, including their organization, content, sources, delivery and more.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Persuasive Writing: What Can Writing in Family Message Journals Do for Students?
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Description: This lesson engages children in using writing to their families as a persuasive tool to get what they want and need.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Letter Poems Deliver: Experimenting with Line Breaks in Poetry Writing
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Description: Students explore letter poems and experiment with writing letters as poems, using the placement of line breaks to enhance rhythm, sound, meaning, and appearance.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Letter and Word Concepts Rubric
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Description: This rubric, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, helps teachers evaluate students' reading readiness skills, including understanding word and letter concepts.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Language Arts - Reading
Title: The Five Senses
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, presents an illustrated list of the five senses.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Work Families
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, presents students with word family endings and leaves space for them to add the initial consonant needed to make a real word.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Expository Writing Cake
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, describes the facets of writing an expository piece.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Magnify It!
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students view objects of various sizes from several viewing distances to discover that their visual field is limited. Students record what they see and compare their observations with classmates in an open, nonjudgmental forum. They have the opportunity to speculate about and experiment freely with magnifying glasses and also conduct more structured experiments.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Draw What You See
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Description: In this reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students view common objects from different distances, and create a drawing to record what they see.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Draw What You See with a Magnifying Glass
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Description: In this reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students record what they see with a magnifying glass at varying distances.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Natural History | Science - Paleontology
Title: Mammoth Extinction
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore a Web resource that presents various hypotheses about why the woolly mammoth became extinct, with a special focus on an infectious disease as the cause. After exploring the information, students discuss how species might become extinct as well as how researchers look for evidence to support their hypotheses and theories.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Natural History | Science - Paleontology
Title: Mammoth Extinction: E-sheet
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, guides students in an online exploration of the possible reasons Woolly mammoths went extinct.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Natural History | Science - Paleontology
Title: Mammoth Extinction - Student Sheet
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students answer questions about mammoths and the possible cause of their extinction.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Natural History | Science - Paleontology
Title: Mammoth Extinction - Teacher Sheet
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Description: This teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains sample responses to questions posed on the student sheet about mammoths and their extinction.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling
Title: Story Elements
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, lists the five story elements (setting, characters, problem, solution and ending) with space for students to draw pictures corresponding to stories they have told the class.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Books that Feature Sound Words, or Onomatopoeia
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Description: This list of books, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, features picture books that focus on sound words.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Example Sound Words
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, presents an extensive list of sound words.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Mental/Emotional Health | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Bedlam
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Description: This Science NetLinks, the second in a three-part series on mental health and human behavior, gives students an up-close, personal look at Bedlam, the world's first mental health asylum. Students explore the kind of life and treatment that mentally ill people received before the 20th century.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Multimedia Responses to Content Area Topics Using Fact-"Faction"-Fiction
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Description: Students climb into the mind of a spider in this lesson that asks them to compose a spider diary using spider facts, fiction, and "faction"?fiction that sounds like fact.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Alphabet | Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Building Phonemic Awareness With Phoneme Isolation
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Description: Students improve phonemic awareness through games and chants that help them isolate beginning and ending sounds and connect them with their written symbols (graphemes).
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Generating Rhymes: Developing Phonemic Awareness
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Description: Traditional chants and songs are adapted to help young students recognize and generate rhymes. The word and letter patterns involved in rhymes provide a stepping stone to reading skills.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Gingerbread Phonics
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Description: "Run, run, as fast as you can." Students use this refrain from The Gingerbread Man to learn letter?sound correspondence. Students use their new skills to write an online story.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Grammar | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Character Clash: A Minilesson on Paragraphing and Dialogue
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Description: Students learn about paragraphing conventions in dialogue by revising their own writing.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Grammar | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Inside or Outside? A Minilesson on Quotation Marks and More
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Description: Students often question whether a punctuation mark goes inside or outside the quotation marks, especially when writing dialogue. This lesson helps students identify the conventions and apply them to their text.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Peer Review: Narrative
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Description: This minilesson guides student in using the PQP technique?Praise–Question–Polish?to offer concrete and useful peer review feedback.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Alphabet | Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Picture Match
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Description: In this student interactive, used in several ReadWriteThink lessons, students can choose from three phonics-based games. They can work with beginning letter sounds, short vowel sounds or long vowel sounds.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Mercury: E-sheet
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, guides students through an online investigation of Mercury. Students are then asked to create a travel brochure for the planet.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Space Sciences
Title: The Planet Mercury Quiz: Student Sheet
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Description: This reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains a multiple choice quiz about the planet Mercury.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Mercury Class Discussion - Teacher Sheet
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Description: This reproducible teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains an answer guide to questions posed about the planet Mercury, as well as correct answers to a student quiz.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Creating a Spider Vivarium
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides a list of materials needed to create a spider vivarium, along with a series of questions to guide students' observations of the spiders.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology
Title: My Volcano - Student Sheet
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students sketch their model volcano, describe it, and answer questions about its dimensions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology
Title: My Volcano After It Erupted
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Description: This printable student activity sheet accompanies the Science NetLinks lesson, "Model Volcanoes." In this lesson, students explore volcanoes by creating models. On this sheet, students record how their volcanoes changed after eruption.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Physical Sciences | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Teacher's Guide to Xpedition Hall
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Description: This is the teacher's guide to Xpedition Hall, a virtual museum filled with interactive exhibits built around the National Geography Standards. Teachers can use this resource to learn more about how to use Xpedition Hall and to get information about specific exhibits.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: All
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Big Island Pool
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Description: This Xpedition Hall interactive demonstrates how the forces of water, wind, and geology mold and give shape to the Earth. Click the top circle in Room III to view this interactive.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Eco-Cycle
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Description: This Xpedition Hall interactive surveys how different plants and animals survive in an Alpine Desert, Lava Field, Grassland, Open Forest, and Rain Forest. Click on the bottom circle in Room III to view this interactive, which explores some of the ways life forms have adapted to fit into the local ecology.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Living Landscapes
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Description: This Xpedition Hall interactive illustrates natural disasters including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic explosions, mudslides, and forest fires. Click on the middle circle in Room V to view this interactive, which demonstrates to visitors that there are risks involved no matter where they live.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Cyberspace Explorer: Getting to Know Christopher Columbus
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Description: Students explore multiple online sources to gather information about the life of Christopher Columbus, complete a cyber scavenger hunt, and use their notes to prepare a timeline and summary report.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Escaping Slavery: Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
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Description: Students read Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson, create a problems/solutions/events chart, and create a map with a key, compass, and landmarks surrounding their home and school.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Whole Language
Title: Guess What’s in the Bag: A Language-based Activity
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Description: Students play a guessing game to practice using descriptive language.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Technology Profile
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students choose a technology form and record important information about its history, function, and impact on society.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Engineering | Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Technology and Inequality
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Description: In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students study briefly the history, evolution, and social benefits of the automobile (as a general model for the kinds of technologies that were once enjoyed only by those who could afford them). Though most technologies today are enjoyed by more and more people, students use interactive activities to explore the reasons why technologies like the automobile, computers, cell phones, and others are not accessed or used equally by all groups of society.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Gas Giant Origins
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Description: This Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about research that indicates that formation of large, gaseous planets like Jupiter and Saturn may have formed more quickly than previously thought. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Visual Arts | Health - Body Systems and Senses
Title: Mona Lisa's Smile
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how the Mona Lisa's smile appears to change depending on where on her face you look. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Disease | Science - Biology | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Genes and Geography
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear how a record of early human migration may be found in our DNA. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biology | Science - Histology
Title: Growing Vocal Chords
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about scientists who are developing a strategy to replace damaged vocal cord tissue with a lab-grown material. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Whole Language
Title: Using a Predictable Text to Teach High-Frequency Words
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Description: After reading an engaging yet predictable text about a child looking for his cat, students use a similar format and high-frequency words to craft tales about their own lost pets.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Choose Your Own Adventure: A Hypertext Writing Experience
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Description: Students analyze "choose your own adventure" stories and brainstorm to develop setting, characters, and plots for their own adventures stories and related Websites.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Alaska Native Stories: Using Narrative to Introduce Expository Text
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Description: Tradition and technology come together in this lesson in which students learn about Alaskan animals through Native American tales and their own online research.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Creative Writing Through Wordless Picture Books
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Description: Students are exposed to wordless picture books and begin developing story lines, both orally and in writing, using an online, interactive story map.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Powerful Writing: Description in Creating Monster Trading Cards
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Description: Students create their own monster trading cards using "powerful," vivid language to describe their creatures.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Figurative Language Awards Ceremony
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Description: Students will be as happy as clams when they have the chance to nominate their favorite examples of similes, metaphors, and personification for a figurative language award.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Technical Reading and Writing Using Board Games
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Description: Students celebrate a novel they have read and get hands-on experience with technical writing by creating a board game based on the novel and writing the instructions for it.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Who Am I?
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about many different animals that live in deserts. They learn what the animals look like and about characteristics that enable them to live in the harsh environment of desert habitats.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Incredible Prairie Picture Show
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students explore the incredible biodiversity of the prairies. They identify characteristics and species of the prairie ecosystem and create classroom murals and reports about what they have learned.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Create a Wetland Scene
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the importance of wetlands. They learn about the different types of freshwater wetlands and the things that threaten their health. Finally, they study specific examples of wetland areas of the U.S., and find out what is being done to protect them.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Changing With the Tide
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about and act out the functions of the salt marsh habitat. They learn about the changing nature of salt marshes and imitate the actions of the plants and animals that live there in order to understand life in the salt marsh.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Science - Earth science | Science - Meteorology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Desert Graphics
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about how climates differ, and how meteorologists collect different kinds of weather data, including daily high and low temperatures and average monthly rainfall, from all over the world. Students use similar weather data to create a graph comparing three climates.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Microclimate in the Schoolyard
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the characteristics of prairie habitats. Students examine the microclimate--climatic conditions in a relatively small area--in their schoolyard and compare these conditions to those of prairie communities. They then determine how their own ecosystem compares with and differs from prairie ecosystems.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Predictable Text - Student Evaluation Sheet
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Description: This printable student evaluation sheet accompanies the ReadWriteThink lesson titled "Using a Predictable Text to Teach High-Frequency Words." This lesson uses a predictable text to help students learn high-frequency words. Teachers can use this evaluation sheet to assess each student's ability to read words in isolation.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Word Cards
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Description: These printable word cards, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, are given to students who cut the words apart and then assemble the cards to form two sentences: "Have you seen my cat?" and "This is not my cat."
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Bingo Game
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Description: This printable bingo card, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, can be used to play "word bingo," in which students write given words in the blanks and then play a bingo-style game with them.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Geometry Step-By-Step from the Land of the Incas
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Description: This tool, reviewed by Science NetLinks, contains problems, quizzes, quotations, history, scientific speculation and more, using the Incan Empire as a background. While this page links to the overview for the Geometry Step-by-Step from the Land of the Incas tool for grades 9-12, you'll find additional links and benchmarks for grades K-12 by using the navigation tools at the top of the page.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: "Down by the Bay"
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Description: This printable teacher sheet, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides the lyrics to the chant "Down by the Bay," with directions for encouraging
students to include rhyming words.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Fish Aren't Afraid of the Dark!
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students are introduced to the concept of bioluminescence and consider how animals benefit from having their own light sources. They look at pictures of bioluminescent marine animals and conclude by making collages or writing stories pretending they have just seen bioluminescent animals from a deep sea vehicle.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Lighting Up the Sea
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students explore the reasons for bioluminescence by conducting a simulation and viewing pictures of bioluminescent marine animals on the Web. They conclude by pretending to be deep sea divers and writing journal entries about their impressions of a bioluminescent animal they have encountered.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Bioluminescence: Living Light
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about bioluminescent creatures and the underwater world in which they live. They perform an experiment to learn how animals use bioluminescence for camouflage and describe the environment of at least one bioluminescent organism.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Meteorology | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: The Ocean and Weather: El Nińo and La Nińa
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students explore the weather phenomena El Nińo and La Nińa. They learn about when and where these weather changes occur and about the effects they have on everything in their wake.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Meteorology | Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Sister Storms: Children of the Tropical Seas
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about different kinds of tropical storms throughout the world. They learn about how the storms are different, how they are similar, and how they are distributed throughout the world. They study specific storms in detail and create class presentations about them.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Learning about Inventions: Facts - Student Sheet
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students answer questions about some man-made innovations after visiting a Web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: Learning about Inventions: Facts - Teacher Sheet
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Description: This teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains answers to questions posed about inventions. In this lesson, students examine a number of technological innovations that have occurred since the beginning of humanity.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Technology and Civilization
Title: History of Inventions - Student Sheet
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students take notes on six ancient inventions after exploring a historic timeline. In this lesson, students examine a number of technological innovations that have occurred since the beginning of humanity.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Paleontology
Title: Where Are the Dinosaurs?
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson is the first of a two-part series on dinosaurs. This lesson taps into student curiosity about dinosaurs in order to lead them to consider life forms that no longer exist. A variety of activities are suggested, including viewing online video clips, creating dinosaur puppets, and constructing dinosaur eggs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Paleontology
Title: What Were Dinosaurs Like?
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson is the second of a two-part series on dinosaurs. Activities and discussions in this lesson revolve around comparing and contrasting dinosaurs to animals with which students are familiar. Students consider likenesses and differences through researching various questions and documenting their findings.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Paleontology
Title: Dinosaurs 2: Student Research
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students answer various questions about dinosaurs and an animal that is alive now. In this lesson, the second of a two-part series on dinosaurs, activities and discussions revolve around comparing and contrasting dinosaurs to animals with which students are familiar.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Pan Balance -- Numbers
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, can be used to find numerical expressions that are equivalent to one another. If equivalent expressions are placed in the blue and red pans on the virtual scale, it will balance.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Mirror Tool
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, can be used to investigate symmetry. Students can view the results when they flip, rotate, or reflect a figure across a line.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Big Heads
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Description: In this Science Update from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the role brain size plays in intelligence. If somebody is really smart, other people might say: "She's got a really big brain." But when it comes to brains, does size really matter? Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Physics | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Tilted Earth
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the cause of Earth's tilt, which is responsible for the change of seasons. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Botany
Title: Eavesdropping Plants
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear how some plants eavesdrop on their neighbors to find out how they're doing. To catch up on the latest gossip, all we humans have to do is pick up the phone. But researchers have found that in nature, news often travels by way of chemicals carried on the wind. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Number Theory
Title: Dinosaur Patterns
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Description: This page, from the EnchantedLearning Web site, features an activity in which students examine pictures and then select the dinosaur that completes the pattern. This resource is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson, "Dinosaurs 1: Where Are the Dinosaurs?"
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Book Report Alternative: Summary, Symbol, and Analysis in Bookmarks
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Description: Students make bookmarks on computers and share their ideas with other readers at their school, while practicing summarizing, recognizing symbols, and writing reviews—all for an authentic audience.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Building Reading Comprehension Through Think-Alouds
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Description: Students learn components of think-alouds and type-of-text interactions through teacher modeling. In the process, students develop the ability to use think-alouds to aid in reading comprehension tasks.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject:
Title: Lights, Camera, Action: Interviewing a Book Character
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Description: Students get the inside scoop on a story when they create interview questions and answers for characters in the books they read.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Student Contracting
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Description: Students develop learning contracts that focus on language arts education. This lesson includes a basic student contract format, sustained silent reading (SSR) extension activities, and literature response activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Creating Class Rules: A Beginning to Creating Community
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Description: Students work together to create classroom rules by brainstorming why they are at school and what they need while they are there.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Book Reviews, Annotation, and Web Technology
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Description: Students work in groups to create annotated book reviews with links to topics of interest related to their book.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Book Report Alternative: The Elements of Fiction
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Description: Students identify the elements of fiction in a book they have read and share summaries of them by writing and illustrating their own mini-book.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 2: The "To Do List" of the Continental Congress
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students explore how the role of "President" was defined in the Articles of Confederation. They also learn about the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation regarding the role of the President.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Before and Beyond the Constitution: What Should a President do?
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Description: This unit of three lessons, from EDSITEment, focuses on the role of the President under the U.S. Constitution. Students look at the role of President as defined in the Constitution and consider the precedent-setting accomplishments of George Washington. The three lessons can be taught as stand alone lessons or as part of the complete unit.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 2: Chief Executives Compared: The Federalist Papers
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students look at an excerpt from the Federalist Papers, written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. They discuss how Hamilton's remarks reflect the concerns of some of the Founders. Students compile a list of the powers and responsibilities of the President based on Hamilton's essay and/or additional resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 3: George Washington: The Precedent President
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students look at important developments that occurred during George Washington's tenure as the first President of the United States. They explore how that tenure affected the future of the U.S. and the office of President. Students list some of the precedents set during George Washington's term in office and match an action of a President with a power or responsibility of the Chief Executive.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Background on the Patriot Attitude Toward the Monarchy
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Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students look at how the role of "President" was defined by the founding fathers in order to distinguish the position from that of a monarch. They describe the role of the English monarch as perceived by the Patriots, and then describe how the Patriots viewed the King of England and his effect on their lives.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Book Report Alternative: Character and Author Business Cards
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Description: Students respond to a book they have read by thinking symbolically to create a business card for one of the characters.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Dracula's Library: Reflections
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Description: Explore properties of light in this classroom activity from the Miami Museum of Science. In this activity, students will reflect incoming light. They will learn about the angle of incident and the angle of reflection.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy
Title: Night-Sky Observations
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Description: This reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, provides students with detailed instructions for conducting night-sky observations at home.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Botany
Title: Classification 2: A Touch of Class
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the second of a two-part series on classification, extends the investigation of living organisms carried out in the first lesson by exposing students to the idea that a variety of plants and animals can be classified into one or more groups based on the various characteristics of a specific group. This lesson gives students the opportunity to look at and discuss different classification schemes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Meteorology
Title: Dangerous Hail
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear why hail rarely seems to hit people. Every year, tornadoes, hurricanes, and snowstorms claim lives and cause injuries. But strangely, hailstorms, which pelt the ground with hard balls of ice, never seem to hit human targets. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Disease | Health - Environmental Health | Health - Safety | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Physics
Title: Night Lights
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear why bright nighttime lights could be bad for women's health. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Natural History | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Pueblo Migrations
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a 20-year effort to learn what happened to the ancient residents of the American Southwest. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Checkerboard Math
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Description: In Checkerboard Math, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, a checkerboard is used to show several aspects of mathematical operations. For instance, problem-solving is used for questions such as, "How many grains of rice would be on the last square, if the number doubled on each successive square?" This uses the concept of applying an appropriate strategy to the relationships of the numbers to answer the question. Other mathematical objectives that are used to answer different questions include, basic number counting, and patterns. This activity could be used as a warm-up activity or even as a homework activity to make sure that students grasp the concepts that were used in a particular classroom lesson on different types of problem-solving strategies.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Probability
Title: Create a Graph
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Description: This resource, from the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), allows students to enter data to construct graphs. Students may choose to display their data on an area, bar, or line graph, or a pie chart. They may use either their own data, or data provided by NCES. Use this link to access the Create a Graph Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra
Title: Easy Fibonacci Numbers
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Description: This resource, created by Dr. Ron Knott, features a collection of math challenges that all involve Fibonacci numbers. The patterns on this page may be difficult for grades 3-5, but they are engaging and may be worth the trouble to pursue. Explanations for the pattern solutions are provided. Use this link to access the Easy Fibonacci Numbers Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Fractional Hi-Lo
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Description: This resource, from The Problem Site, features a game of Hi-Lo that uses fractions instead of whole numbers. Students play against the computer to try to guess which fraction the computer is thinking of. Use this link to access the Fractional Hi-Lo Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: High School Operations Research
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Description: The High School Operations Research Web site features a collection of mathematics modules for the high school level. Each module develops secondary mathematics concepts in real-world contexts drawn from the field of operations research and contains twenty to thirty pages of teacher resource material. Use this link to access the High School Operations Research Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Trigonometry
Title: It's Raining!
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Description: This Figure This! problem asks which windshield wiper, the one on a car or the one on a truck, clears the most area on the windshield. Even though simple geometry and mathematical skills are used to solve this problem, the challenge is realizing how, and in what order, to use these skills. Use this link to access the It's Raining! Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Architecture | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: What Happens in the White House?
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students view images of former Presidents living and working in the White House. They discuss the different functions that the White House serves.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Architecture | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: What Has Happened in the White House?
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students explore how the White House has been touched by the great events of our nation's history. They create a chronology of important events that have occurred at or directly affected the White House.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Architecture | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: What Happens in the White House? A Timeline
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students create a History of the White House timeline featuring historic events researched in a previous lesson. In addition, they discuss the reasons why the White House is sometimes called "America's House."
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Patterns in Fractals
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Description: This lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., is designed to introduce students to patterns and fractals. The goal is to give students some practice finding patterns in the generation of several different types of fractals. Use this link to access the Patterns in Fractals Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Probability
Title: Pets with Strange Tastes and Triomino Challenge
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Description: This resource, from the Math Forum, features two math activities. The first is a logic puzzle that incorporates probability, and the second is a number puzzle. Use this link to access the Pets with Strange Tastes and Triomino Challenge Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Shape Explorer
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Description: This resource, from The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., features an applet that challenges students to find the area and perimeter of different irregular shapes. The students fill in their answers and can check whether or not they are correct. If not, they must try again because the correct answer is not given. Use this link to access the Shape Explorer Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra
Title: Smiles
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Description: This resource, from Figure This!, features an algebra-based logic problem. In this activity, students look at a diagram depicting the cost of combinations of frowns, smiles, and neutral faces; they are then asked to determine how much a smile is worth. Use this link to access the Smiles Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Economics
Title: The Economics of Professional Sports: Comparative Advantage and Specialization
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Description: In this lesson, from EconEdLink, students examine economic data pertaining to major league baseball. They use the data to form opinions about whether or not professional athletes are overpaid, how much the public should subsidize stadiums and arenas, and more. Use this link to access the Economics of Professional Sports: Comparative Advantage and Specialization Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: The Mathematics of Airline Safety
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Description: This resource, from Educators for Social Responsibility, features a dataset focusing on airline passenger fatalities and injuries from 1982-2000. While no particular activity is outlined, the dataset could be used in several mathematics lessons.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: The Million $ Mission
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Description: This lesson, reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, introduces exponential growth through a whimsical scenario. A rich millionaire offers you a job that lasts for thirty days. You can choose one of two payment options: 1) One cent on the first day, two cents on the second day, and double your salary every day thereafter for the thirty days or 2) exactly $1,000,000. What's not surprising is that most students will immediately choose the $1,000,000. However, how far into their calculations will their minds change? This is an excellent activity rich in mathematical exploration that will introduce them to the power of exponential growth.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Half
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Description: This interactive, from PBS Kids, helps students see that one half can be represented many different ways. Students then try to find thirteen different ways of representing one half and get feedback on their choices. Use this link to access the Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Half Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Which Way?
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Description: Simple counting is the theme of this Figure This! activity. The object is to find how many ways there are to get from home to the video store (as shown on a simple map), with no backtracking allowed. Use this link to access the Which Way? Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Book Sorting: Using Observation and Comprehension to Categorize Books
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Description: Students utilize their reading and writing skills as they think critically in order to sort books in multiple ways.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject:
Title: Draw a Math Story: From the Concrete to the Symbolic
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Description: Students create math stories by first drawing, then writing, and finally using math symbols to show addition or subtraction.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Number Theory
Title: Giant Story Problems: Reading Comprehension through Math Problem-Solving
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Description: Students create posters using images, text, and mathematical equations to represent a story problem.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 1 | 2
Subject: Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Mathematics - Number Theory | Social Studies - United States History
Title: QARs + Tables = Successful Comprehension of Math Word Problems
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Description: Using census data for an example, students use the question-answer relationship (QAR) strategy to understand and solve word problems that refer to tables and other graphics.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject:
Title: Research Building Blocks: Examining Electronic Sources
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Description: In this lesson, students evaluate and rate the relevance of electronic resources as they research information about their state.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Research Building Blocks: Hints about Print
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Description: In this lesson from a research skills unit, students examine abstracts on selected books to determine their relevance and helpfulness.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Mechanics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Whole Language
Title: Poetry Portfolios: Using Poetry to Teach Reading
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Description: Teach your students about sentence structure, rhyming words, sight words, vocabulary, and print concepts using a weekly poem.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Spelling | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Word Wizards: Students Making Words
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Description: The Word Wizard activities in this lesson transform phonics from drudgery into delight! Students manipulate letters to make different words.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 3: United States Entry into World War I: A Documentary Chronology of World War I
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Description: This unit of three lessons, from EDSITEment, focuses on U.S. involvement in World War I. Students reconsider the events leading to U.S. entry into World War I through the lens of archival documents.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Create a Graph
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Description: This page, from the National Center for Education Statistics' Web site (NCES), features links to four different graphs and charts, each with an explanation of its purpose and step-by-step interactive instructions to compiling an online graph.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Skills Search
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Description: Using this student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, students record objects they have observed in the classroom that share the same word pattern.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Math Read-aloud Books
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Description: This booklist, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, contains a bibliography of children's stories that feature mathematical concepts.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations
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Description: In this unit of three lessons, from EDSITEment, students come to understand Woodrow Wilson's concepts for peace and the League of Nations after World War I, his efforts to foster American support for the League, and the opposition he faced in the Senate. The three lessons can be taught as stand alone lessons or as part of the complete unit.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 1: United States Entry into World War I: Two Diametrically Opposed Views
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students reconsider the events leading to U.S. involvement in World War I through the lens of archival documents. Students create a hypothesis for U.S. entry into the war, supported by specific evidence.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 2. The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations: Disagreement Over the League
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students develop an understanding of the central issues in the debate over the League of Nations in America. Students examine a political cartoon about the position of the GOP regarding the League.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 3: The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations: Five Camps: From Voices of Consent to Voices of Dissent
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students describe President Wilson's role in creating the League of Nations. They also discuss opposition to the League in America.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 2: United States Entry into World War I: Some Hypotheses About U.S. Entry
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students explain what the most compelling reasons were for the U.S. to enter World War I. Students create a hypothetical justification for U.S. involvement in World War I, supported by specific evidence.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 3: United States Entry into World War I: A Documentary Chronology of World War I
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students reconsider the events leading to U.S. entry into World War I through the lens of archival documents. They create a documentary slideshow outlining the circumstances surrounding the U.S. entry into World War I.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 1: The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations: League of Nations Basics
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students describe President Woodrow Wilson's role in creating the League of Nations. They come to understand the basic issues covered in Wilson's Fourteen Points, and compare those with the tenets in the Covenant of the League of Nations.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Spelling | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Whole-to-Parts Phonics Instruction: Teaching Letter-Sound Correspondences
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Description: Students will find that learning onset and rime is a handy skill when they read the Jack and Jill rhyme.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Myth and Truth: Independence Day
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Description: By exploring myths and truths surrounding Independence Day, students think critically about commonly believed stories regarding the beginning of the Revolutionary War and the Independence Day holiday.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Research Building Blocks: Skim, Scan, and Scroll
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Description: In this lesson from a research skills unit, students read informational text, looking for supporting details. They practice skimming and scanning print resources, and scrolling through electronic resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Research Building Blocks: “Cite Those Sources!”
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Description: Students learn the importance of crediting others for their words and ideas, and then learn the paraphrasing and citation skills necessary to avoid plagiarism.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Physical Sciences | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Prerequisite Knowledge
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Description: This reproducible teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains background information about solids, liquids, and gases. The lesson is aimed at improved understanding of environmental phenomena and events.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Natural History | Science - Paleontology
Title: What Happened to the Mammoths? Student Sheet
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students record information about the evolution of the mammoth after visiting a related Web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Natural History
Title: Evolution and Extinction of Mammoths
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students record notes after viewing information on Web sites about the evolution of mammoths.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Family Life | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Taking Care of a Baby
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students are introduced to the basics of how a baby grows inside its mother until its birth. They then consider and discuss the birthing process. Then students are led into the third part of the lesson, which focuses on the early years of infancy. They are prompted to think about the kinds of basic needs infants have and the critical role adults play in ensuring a baby's healthy physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - General Science
Title: Zap!
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson is the second of a two-part series that encourages students to think about their own learning and the strategies that best help them learn new skills and ideas. In this lesson, students participate in an online reaction-time activity that tests their visual and auditory abilities, both separately and together.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology
Title: Rock Hunters
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson centers on students making detailed observations of rocks. Through their observations, students begin to develop an understanding that there are many types of rocks with a multitude of different attributes.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject:
Title: Cell Phone Traffic
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a new use for cell phone signals. Many people stuck in traffic pass the time or take care of business by making calls on their cell phone. Now, scientists have found another way to put that talk time to work by using cell phone signals to monitor traffic flow. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - Physical Sciences
Title: Dryer Sheets
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear how the old saying "opposites attract" relates to your laundry. Positively charged particles are attracted to negatively charged particles, which can cause static cling in clothing. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Botany
Title: Nectarines
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll learn how nectarines came to be. A nectarine is a mutation of peach from fuzzy skinned to no fuzzy skinned, or glaucoused from pubescence. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Firefly Flashes
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear how male fireflies send out their best flashes in hopes of attracting a mate. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Sample Giant Story Problems
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides a series of sample word problems based on stories the students have heard.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Whole Language | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Giant Story Problems
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Description: This resource, from Share2Learn, is a teacher's first-hand experience of using story problems to help students understand mathematical concepts. The teacher outlines the process of "giant story problems," in which students work collaboratively on the activity to work out and present the solved problem graphically. This resource is referenced in the ReadWriteThink lesson titled "Giant Story Problems: Reading Comprehension through Math Problem Solving."
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Activity #1: Selecting Sources
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, features a collection of book titles for students to review to determine which ones would help them learn about Abraham Lincoln.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Examining Electronic Sources
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides a series of questions for students to consider when evaluating a Web site.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology
Title: Rocks
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, presents a slide show of different types of rocks and minerals.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Geology
Title: My Rock
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students draw a picture and answer questions about their selected rock sample. In the lesson, students make detailed observations about different types of rocks.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Science - Geology
Title: Making a Scale
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Description: This teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains instructions for having students make a simple scale to compare the weights of their rock samples.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Agriculture
Title: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
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Description: Search on this homepage for NASS. This official division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides accurate and useful statistics related to agriculture. This resource is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson titled "Urban Ecosystems 2: Why Are There Cities? A Historical Perspective."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Sociology
Title: United Nations Population Information Network
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Description: This page, part of the United Nations Web site, provides links to statistical data about population trends, including future projections. This resource is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson titled "Urban Ecosystems 3: Cities as Population Centers."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - World History
Title: Historical Estimates of World Population
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Description: This page, from the U.S. Census Bureau, features a table showing population estimates prior to 1950 from several sources. This resource is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson "Urban Ecosystems 3: Cities as Population Centers."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Sociology | Social Studies - World History
Title: World Urbanization Prospects: The 1999 Revision
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Description: This report, prepared by the United Nations Population Division, presents estimates and projections of the number of people living in urban and rural areas of the world for the period 1950-2030. This resource is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson titled "Urban Ecosystems 3: Cities as Population Centers."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Brain Imaging Technology - Student Sheet
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Description: Using this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students record advantages and disadvantages of various diagnostic tests for the brain. The lesson provides students with a brief introduction to various diagnostic imaging technologies used in brain research.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Brain Imaging Technology - Teacher Sheet
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Description: This teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, shows the advantages and disadvantages of various diagnostic brain tests. The lesson provides students with a brief introduction to various diagnostic imaging technologies used in brain research.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Whole Language
Title: Using Prediction as a Prereading Strategy
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Description: Students learn about and apply the prediction strategy while reading a trade book. They use response journals to record questions and responses based on prereading predictions.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Whole Language
Title: Using the Check and Line Method to Enhance Reading Comprehension
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Description: Do your students skim assigned text material without even engaging their brains? The Check and Line method encourages students to think about what they are reading and monitor their own comprehension of the information.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Making Personal and Cultural Connections Using A Girl Named Disaster
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Description: Struggling to survive is one of the many themes explored in A Girl Named Disaster. As students read, they look for connections between themselves and the main character, Nhamo.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: Book Buddy Biographies: Intermediate and Primary Students Working Together
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Description: Students create a personalized biography for their reading buddy, and each child is the author, illustrator, and editor.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Expanded Internet Abbreviations and Shortcuts
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides a list of abbreviations and shortcuts used on the Internet, along with their meanings.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Electronic Messages Rubric
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Description: This rubric, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, helps teachers evaluate student understanding of how audience and purpose affect the writer's word choice in an email message.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Listening Comprehension | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Whole Language
Title: Talking Back and Taking Over: Young Children's Expressive Engagement During Storybook Read-alouds
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Description: This article, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, details five expressive and performative engagements students may exhibit when responding to text, as identified by Lawrence R. Sipe.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Spelling | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Flashcards
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Description: These printable flashcards, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, feature rhyming words belonging to the "-ill" family.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Skim, Scan and Scroll: Activity 1
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, prompts students to identify the main idea and supporting sentences of a paragraph about early Native Americans.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Skull Diversity
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore the similarities and differences of animal skulls. The students examine skulls that are part of an online exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Agriculture
Title: Where Does Food Come From?
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson is the first of a two-part series on where food comes from. In this lesson, students learn that most of the food they buy in stores originally comes from farms. Students sing a song about growing crops on a farm and learn from the lyrics the kinds of things that farmers do and need to grow plants.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Agriculture
Title: What Plants Need to Grow
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson is the second of a two-part series on where food comes from. In this lesson, students explore how to grow plants and learn what kinds of things promote growth (warmth, sunlight, water, soil). Their activities involve learning about how seeds and plants grow and participating in a simple, in-class gardening project.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Life in a Drop of Pond Water
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the second in a two-part series on microorganisms, students observe microscopic organisms found in pond water using a hand lens, 30x magnification, and 100x magnification. Then students participate in discussions about how single-celled living things might satisfy their needs for food, water, and air.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Environmental Health | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Chemistry
Title: Antibacterial Pollution
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the potential environmental effects of common household products. A lot of household products nowadays claim to be antibacterial--containing compounds that kill viruses, bacteria, and other germs on contact. But what happens to these compounds when they get washed down the drain? Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science
Title: The Core
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a proposal to send a robotic probe to explore Earth's core. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Passenger Pigeon Timeline
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Description: This reproducible handout, from a Science NetLinks lesson, is a timeline of the 1800's with events that may have caused the extinction of passenger pigeons.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Events to Consider for Passenger Pigeon Timeline
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Description: This reproducible handout, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains a list of historical events that may be linked to the extinction of the passenger pigeon. Students select from these events in creating their own extinction timelines.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Passenger Pigeon Resources for Teachers
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Description: This assessment tool accompanies the Science NetLinks lesson titled "Passenger Pigeons: Nomads Lost." In this lesson, students explore the concept and implications of extinction using the example of the Passenger Pigeon, once an extremely abundant species that was completely eliminated by humans. This teacher sheet contains a list of books and resources about Passenger Pigeons.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Listening Comprehension | Science - Agriculture
Title: From the Farm to Your Home
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Description: In this reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students draw pictures representing various scenes after listening to a story about how tomatoes get from the farm to the table. In the lesson, students learn that most of the food they buy in stores originally comes from farms.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Agriculture | Science - Botany
Title: Plant Growth
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Description: Using this reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students record their observations of plants on a daily chart. In the lesson, the second in a two-part series about plants, students focus on what things promote plant growth.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Botany
Title: Plant Growth Observation Chart
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Description: Using this reproducible chart, from a Science NetLinks lesson, data from the different student groups can be recorded. In the lesson, the second in a two-part series, students explore the things that promote plant growth.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Biology
Title: Virtual Pond Dip
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, guides students in an online exploration of a virtual pond. They examine the microorganisms present in a drop of pond water.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom
Title: Invention PowerPoint
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides information for students regarding what they must include as they create original PowerPoint presentations.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Robot Sketcher
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Description: In this student interactive, from Illuminations, students can build compound arms having multiple joints of two types: one that rotates and is typical of rotating motors, and one that slides and is typical of hydraulic lifts. A circle is used to represent a rotating joint, and a rectangle is used to represent a sliding joint.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Tower of Hanoi
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, presents a tower of from three to 20 disks, initially stacked in increasing size on one of three pegs. The goal is to move all the discs from the left peg to the right one using the smallest number of moves possible.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Bobbie Bear
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, focuses on determining how many different outfits can be made out of a given set of different colored shirts and pants. Students can customize the interactive to include different numbers of shirts and pants.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Codes
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, introduces students to cryptography. They are prompted to encode and decode messages as they explore a substitution cipher.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Congruence Theorems
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, allows students to explore the conditions that guarantee uniqueness of a triangle, quadrilateral, or pentagon regardless of location or orientation. Each set of conditions results in a new congruence theorem.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Flowing Through Mathematics
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, simulates water flowing from a tube through a hole in the bottom. The diameter of the hole can be adjusted and data can be gathered for the height or volume of water in the tube at any time.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Shape Sorter Tool
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, allows students to sort shapes based on their properties using a Venn diagram. Students can choose from various arrangements of Venn diagrams, including those with two or three circles and then place different shapes on their chosen diagram.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Tube Viewer Simulation
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Description: This student interactive, from Illuminations, simulates the effect of viewing an image through a tube. As students move the location of the person or change the length of the tube, the image and measurements also change.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: What Am I? Teaching Poetry through Riddles
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Description: Students explore figurative language in poetry by reading and writing riddle poems.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Oceanography
Title: Reading and Writing About Whales Using Fiction and Nonfiction Texts
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Description: Students will have a whale of a good time in this lesson in which they use fiction and nonfiction texts to write a letter to an online scientist.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Whole Language | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: What Am I? Writing Riddle Poems
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Description: In this student interactive, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, students follow guidelines and learn strategies for writing riddles.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: On the Road with Marco Polo
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Description: This Web page provides an overview of the EDSITEment curriculum unit titled "On the Road with Marco Polo." In this eight-lesson unit, students will become Marco Polo adventurers, following his route to and from China in order to learn about the geography, local products, culture, and fascinating sites of those regions. This unit incorporates primary source material, maps, and images from EDSITEment-reviewed Web sites
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Lesson 1: On the Road with Marco Polo: A Boy in 13th Century Venice
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students learn about life in medieval Venice and explore possible motivations behind Marco Polo's interest in travel and trade. They use maps to learn more about the geography of Venice and of medieval Europe.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Lesson 2: On the Road with Marco Polo: From Venice to Hormuz
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students take an imaginary or "virtual" trip with Marco Polo from Venice to Homuz. They describe the geography of the regions of Turkey and Armenia that the Polos traveled through and discuss their means of travel.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Lesson 3: On the Road with Marco Polo: From Hormuz to Kashgar
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Description: This lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, focuses on the section of Marco Polo's journey between the Persian port of Hormuz and the Chinese city of Kashgar. In this lesson, students utilize the Internet to access maps and images as they study this region.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Lesson 4: On the Road with Marco Polo: Crossing the Deserts of China
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students use Internet resources to learn about the Taklimakan Desert. They determine what was (and is) best way to travel from one end of the desert to the other and explore how some of the local inhabitants make a living.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Lesson 5: On the Road with Marco Polo: Marco Polo in China
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Description: This lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, focuses on the geography, history, and culture of the Mongol Empire ruled by Kublai Kahn.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Lesson 6: On the Road with Marco Polo: Sea Voyage to India
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Description: This lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, focuses on Marco Polo's sea voyage from southern China to India. Students learn about the geography culture of the region at the time and learn why spices were so widely sought after by European merchants in medieval times.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Lesson 7: On the Road with Marco Polo: From Hormuz to Venice
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students explore the final section of Marco Polo's return journey, from Hormuz to Venice. They focus on the Turkish city then known as Constantinople.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Lesson 8: On the Road with Marco Polo: Homecoming
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students learn about events in Venice after Marco Polo's return. They discover how Marco Polo came to publish the story of his adventures.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Nutrition | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: My Body Helps Me Get Food
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson focuses on students learning that some parts of their body help to keep their body nourished with food. While focusing on the specific functions of single body parts, this lesson highlights that we use each of these parts for making sure we stay nourished.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Mental/Emotional Health | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: The Laughing Brain 1: How We Laugh
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, the first of a two-part series on laughter and how it can affect the immune system, students explore gelotology (the science of laughter) and its benefits to our social, mental, and physical well-being. This lesson has a two-fold focus. First, it focuses on the science of laughter in terms of how the brain reacts to an external stimulus that is funny. Second, it explores the positive effects of laughter in terms of our social, mental, and physical well-being.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Mental/Emotional Health | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: A Good Laugh
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson, the second in a two-part series on laughter and how it can affect the immune system, explores various theories about laughter. Students also explore laughter's effects on our mental health and the benefits of laughter to our immune system.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Mental/Emotional Health | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: What Can I Do?
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Description: The main goals of this Science NetLinks lesson are to help students identify their feelings, learn how to tell others about their feelings, and learn how this emotional knowledge can help them resolve conflict. The premise of this lesson is that students who learn how to communicate about how they are feeling will be more likely to use communication as a method for resolving conflict.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Chemistry | Science - Pharmacology
Title: Acid Stomach
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Description: This Science NetLinks lesson is intended for a high-school introductory chemistry class or health class. The lesson begins with the reading of an article on the history of the development of aspirin. Students then complete a lab that compares the reaction of regular aspirin, buffered aspirin, and enteric aspirin in neutral, acidic, and basic solutions. They then analyze the results of the experiment to gain insight into how this information was used by researchers to solve some of the problems associated with aspirin. To complete the lesson, students must understand acids and bases.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry | Science - General Science
Title: Popsicle Flavors
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the reasons homemade popsicles never taste quite as good as those bought in the store. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biology
Title: From Cell to DNA
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Description: This tool, created by Science NetLinks, features an animation that takes students through a tour of a typical human cell, moving from larger to smaller cell structures. It briefly describes some of these structures and describes how DNA strands are constructed. While this page links to the overview of the tool for grades 9-12, you can access reviews for additional grades and benchmarks using the navigation tools at the top of the overview.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Protein Synthesis: At the Ribosome
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Description: This tool, created by Science NetLinks, presents a brief animation that demonstrates the process by which messenger RNA (mRNA) is translated into protein. mRNA is generated from DNA and is the template for protein synthesis. While this page links to the overview of the tool for grades 9-12, you can access reviews for additional grades and benchmarks using the navigation tools at the top of the overview.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Nutrition | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Body Parts Wheel
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Description: Using this reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students illustrate different body parts and a variety of food as a precursor to a class discussion. In the lesson, students learn that some body parts help to keep their body nourished with food.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Nutrition | Science - Agriculture | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Body Parts Matching
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Description: This reproducible teacher sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, contains information on various sense organs and how they help us get food. In the lesson students learn that some body parts help to keep their body nourished with food.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Mental/Emotional Health | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: How Laughter Benefits Your Immune System
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Description: Using this reproducible activity sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students plan a group presentation about laughter and the immune system. The lesson is the second in a two-part series on laughter and how it can affect the immune system.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Chemistry | Science - Pharmacology
Title: Acid Stomach: E-sheet
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, guides students through an exploration of aspirin and its effects on the stomach.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Chemistry | Science - Pharmacology
Title: Simulated Stomach Lab Data Sheet
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, students record results of an experiment using different types of aspirin. This lesson helps students develop an understanding of how aspirin works and how understanding its interaction with other chemicals in the body aided doctors in medical research.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Filmmaking | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Writing a Movie: Summarizing and Rereading a Film Script
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Description: Lights! Camera! Action! In this lesson, students view a scene with no dialogue from E.T., write a script for that scene, and perform a dramatic reading while the scene plays.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Listening Comprehension | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Learning Centers: From Shared to Independent Practice
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Description: Seven blind mice—see how they spend each day of the week in this lesson that uses the book Seven Blind Mice to guide students through shared reading, writing, and listening activities.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Drama | Arts - Music | Arts - Visual Arts | Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Vocabulary | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Phonics Through Literature: Learning About the Letter M
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Description: Students learn about phonics by focusing on the letter m and participating in an integrated array of activities, including reading, writing, mathematics, music, art, and technology.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Spelling | Language Arts - Vocabulary
Title: Phonic Generalizations in Chrysanthemum
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Description: Students learn about word families by reading Kevin Henkes’s book Chrysanthemum, identifying words with certain vowel pair endings, and reading words with similar endings.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Research Building Blocks: “Organize This!”
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Description: In this minilesson, students organize information they compile while doing research for a written report on a selected topic.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Adventures in Nonfiction: A Guided Inquiry Journey
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Description: Students are guided through an informal exploration of nonfiction texts and child-oriented Websites, learning browsing and skimming techniques for the purpose of gathering interesting information.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Charlotte is Wise, Patient, and Caring: Adjectives and Character Traits
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Description: Students find examples of adjectives in a shared reading. Then students "become" major characters in a book and describe themselves and other characters, using powerful adjectives.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Vocabulary | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Monkeys Jumping on Things That Begin With the Letter M
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides a cover page for a class book and an inner page to be printed for each student on which they illustrate and finish the sentence "One little monkey jumping on a [object that begins with m]."
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Music | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Monkey Fingerplays
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Description: This printable teacher sheet, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, features instructions for fingerplays to accompany "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" and "Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree" by Eileen Christelow.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: M&M Math
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, features math activities that use M&Ms to practice the concepts of estimation, counting, sorting and graph work.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: All About Monkeys: Recommended Booklist
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Description: This booklist, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, includes bibliographic information about monkey-themed fiction and non-fiction books.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: E-pals Around the World
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Description: With e-pals, students develop real-life writing and social experiences, learn the format of a friendly letter and parts of an e-mail message, and discover other cultures, languages, and geographic areas.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Proverbs: An Introduction
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Description: Students are introduced to proverbs and explore how proverbs are often tied to a culture’s values and everyday experience, although their meanings are not always readily apparent to us today.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Grammar | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Adjectives and Character Traits
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides an explanation of character traits and how adjectives are used to describe a character's specific qualities.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Hey Diddle, Diddle! Generating Rhymes for Analogy-Based Phonics Instruction
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Description: Students practice matching rhyming words, apply phonological awareness to analogy-based phonics, and use the interactive Construct-a-Word to create rhyming words by adding a beginning consonant to a word ending.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 1
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: It's Too Loud in Here! Teamwork in the Classroom
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Description: Students work with their peers to develop classroom rules.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Science - Meteorology
Title: Weather: A Journey in Nonfiction
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Description: Questions about weather clear up when students use what they learned from their books to create a presentation to share with the rest of the class.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Using Writing and Role-Play to Engage the Reluctant Writer
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Description: What does the world look like through a javelina’s eyes? Students become javelinas in this lesson when they analyze a character and write from his or her perspective.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Civics
Title: Censorship in the Classroom: Understanding Controversial Issues
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Description: Students examine propaganda and media bias, research a variety of banned and challenged books, choose a side of the censorship issue, and support their position through an advertising campaign.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Critical Reading: Two Stories, Two Authors, Same Plot?
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Description: Students make predictions about the stories and analyze story elements, compare and contrast the different stories, distinguish between fact and opinion, and draw conclusions supported by evidence from their readings.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Exploring Cross-Age Tutoring Activities With Lewis and Clark
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Description: Interaction and adventure draws high school and elementary school students together as they analyze stories about the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Reading Aloud
Title: Exploring Literacy in Cyberspace
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Description: It’s not just words on a page (or screen)—reading comprehension involves making sense of the text. When students become aware of the analytical strategies they are using, they can explore the similarities and differences between making sense of print and making sense of a website.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Magazine Redux: An Exercise in Critical Literacy
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Description: Paper and pixels get compared in this lesson in which students compare both printed and online versions of a magazine.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Grammar | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Become a Character: Adjectives, Character Traits, and Perspective
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Description: Students "become" one of the major characters in a book and describe themselves and other characters, using lists of accurate, powerful adjectives.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Book Report Alternative: Characters for Hire! Studying Character in Drama
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Description: In this alternative to the traditional book report, students respond to a play they have read by creating a resume for one of its characters.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Grammar | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Avoiding Sexist Language by Using Gender-Fair Pronouns
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Description: Students engage in a brief writing assignment that concretely illustrates how language and gender stereotyping interact causally.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Name That Chapter! Discussing Summary and Interpretation Using Chapter Titles
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Description: Students name unnamed chapters in a novel they are reading. They discuss possible chapter names, considering accuracy, word choice, and connotation, before settling on a choice.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Novel News: Broadcast Coverage of Character, Conflict, Resolution, and Setting
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Description: This twist on readers theater has students prepare original news programs based on incidents in a recent reading, as they explore standard literary elements of character, conflict, resolution, and setting.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Literary Elements Map
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Description: In this student interactive, used in several ReadWriteThink lessons, students can choose from the following graphic organizers: character map, conflict map, resolution map, and/or setting map. The exercise then leads them through the various steps of creating the chosen map. At the end, students can choose to print or to start a new graphic organizer.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Comic Makeovers: Examining Race, Class, Ethnicity, and Gender in the Media
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Description: Students explore stereotypes in the media and representations of race, class, ethnicity, and gender by analyzing comics over a two-week period and then re-envisioning them with a "comic character makeover."
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Graffiti Wall: Discussing and Responding to Literature Using Graphics
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Description: Tap students' desires to doodle and draw by having them create a Graffiti Wall, using graphics to discuss a piece of literature that has been read by the whole class.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Literary Graffiti
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Description: This student interactive, used in several ReadWriteThink lessons, encourages students to create literary graffiti corresponding to a piece of literature they have recently read. After completing their individual or group images and explanations, students can print out their final versions for feedback and assessment.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Varying Views of America
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Description: Students work together to analyze three poems about America with varying points of view.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Style: Defining and Exploring an Author’s Stylistic Choices
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Description: Students find examples of specific stylistic devices in sample literary passages then search for additional examples and explore the reasons for the stylistic choices that the author has made.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Style: Translating Stylistic Choices from Hawthorne to Hemingway and Back Again
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Description: After exploring the styles of two authors, students translate passages from one author into the style of another. They then translate fables into the style of one of the authors.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Count the Bananas
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Description: The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County presents this online counting activity as part of its PreSchool Library's monkey theme. The page also features links to other activities following the monkey theme. The activity is also available in Spanish. This resource is referenced in the ReadWriteThink lesson titled "Phonics Through Literature: Learning About the Letter M."
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Proverbs: At Home and around the World
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Description: In this lesson, students work with proverbs from home and from around the world, exploring how these maxims are tied to a culture’s values and everyday experience.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Proverbs: Contemporary Proverbs
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Description: This lesson challenges students to craft more apparent meanings for traditional maxims by updating proverbs from around the world and writing proverbs of their own.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Investigating Animals: Using Nonfiction for Inquiry-based Research
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Description: Inspired by their curiosity about animals, students work together to research an animal of their choice and present the information they gather to an authentic audience.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Proverb Definitions
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Description: This printable teacher sheet, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides a quick reference guide to proverbs and their cultural significance.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Genre Study
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Description: Multidimensional, challenging, and popular with students, comics provide an excellent way to introduce the concept of genres.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Journalism | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Doodle Splash: Using Graphics to Discuss Literature
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Description: Students keep a doodle journal while reading short stories by a common author. In small groups, students then combine their doodles into a graphic representation of the text.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling
Title: Book Report Alternative: Comic Strips and Cartoon Squares
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Description: Students must think critically to create comic strips highlighting six important scenes from a book they have read.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: The Writing Process
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, features a flow chart detailing the steps involved in the writing process.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Analyzing Advertisements
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Description: Students use this printable chart, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, to record observations about five print or television ads.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Self-reflection on Censorship & Propaganda
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Description: Students use this reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, to reflect upon what they learned and how well they participated during a lesson on censorship in the classroom.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Student Self-assessment Sheet
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Description: This self-assessment worksheet, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, helps students evaluate their use of different strategies to help them understand a short story they read.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Exploring Literacy in Cyberspace: List of Sample Web Sites
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Description: This printable list, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides a selection of sample Web sites, of varying content, likely to appeal to a teenage reader.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Book Report Alternative: Grading Rubric
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Description: This rubric, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, helps teachers assess student performance on an assignment in which they write resumes for fictional characters.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: In-class Narrative Writing Assignment
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, features instructions for an assignment in which students write a narrative as an introduction to a lesson on using gender-neutral language.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Drama | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Speech
Title: Novel News Broadcast Segments Rubric
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Description: This rubric, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, helps teachers evaluate students' original news broadcasts based on incidents in a recent reading.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Varying Views of America Rubric
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Description: This rubric, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, helps teachers evaluate students' evaluations of three poems about America.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Defining Style
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, features a brief explanation of style in literature and offers examples of how a message can be conveyed using several different styles.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Adopting Hawthorne's Style
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, directs students to choose one of two prompts, both of which are based on Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," and write a letter based on their chosen prompt.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Discovering Poetic Form and Structure Using Concrete Poems
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Description: This lesson uses concrete poems to explore the connection between a poem's layout and its meaning. While appropriate any time of year, the lesson is especially topical near Columbus Day.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Narrative Structure
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Description: This lesson uses comic strip frames to define plot and reinforce the structure that underlies a narrative. Students finish by writing their own original narratives.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Collaborative Stories 1: Prewriting and Drafting
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Description: Students hone their teamwork skills and play off each other's writing strengths as they participate in prewriting activities for a story to be written collaboratively by the whole class.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Collaborative Stories 2: Revising
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Description: Using a collaborative story written by students, the teacher leads a shared-revising activity to help students consider content when revising, with students participating in the marking of text revisions.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Systems of the Human Body
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students use an online interactive activity to learn about the concept of separate components working together to build a body system. In addition, this lesson focuses on activities to help students learn that body systems work together to build the functioning human body. This lesson could be used in conjunction with instruction on the human body and/or systems.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Space Sciences
Title: Faces in Space
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a proposed system to spot signs of burnout on marathon space flights. NASA is concerned that stress on long missions could affect the astronauts' performance. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Biology
Title: Bacteria Ballistics
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the possibility that microbes from Mars may have once seeded the Earth. In this interview, you'll hear about an unusual experiment that could help provide the answer. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Mental/Emotional Health | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Shyness
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how differences in temperament may be related to differences in brain structure. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Phage Comeback
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how the overprescription and misuse of antibiotics has fueled the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: Paris Scope
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students use Xpedition Hall's interactive feature, Paris Scope, to learn more about the history of Paris by visiting sites at various Metro stops. Students practice map-reading skills by tracing the route to take on the Paris Metro to get from one site to another.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Taking Care of Our Oceans
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students consider why so many people live near the coast and learn about the impacts of this trend on ocean animals. They make posters to educate coastal residents and visitors about human impacts on marine life.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Why Is Oceanography Important?
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about some of the important discoveries that oceanographers have made and some areas that they are investigating. They use two Web sites to gather this information, including National Geographic's Blue Frontier site. They conclude by making posters explaining how oceanography is used and why it's important.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Oceanography | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Oceanographic Specialties
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the five primary subdisciplines of oceanography and think of questions that each type of oceanographer might ask when conducting research in his or her field. They then examine Web sites to learn about oceanographic research and determine which type of oceanographer would be the most involved and interested in these research projects.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Ecology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - Urban Studies
Title: Coastal Development
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students examine two maps that illustrate the tendency for people in the United States to settle near the coasts. They use the Internet to research some environmental impacts on coastal ecosystems and conclude by writing reports on steps that are being taken to mitigate these impacts in specific parts of the country.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Using Picture Books to Teach Setting Development in Writing Workshop
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Description: Students use a graphic organizer to analyze setting development in picture books. They then apply what they have learned to their own writing.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Whole Language | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States History
Title: African-American Soldiers in World War I: The 92nd and 93rd Divisions
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, explores the role played by African-American servicemen in World War I. Students consider the discrimination African-American volunteers faced at home and in the military and, after researching contradictory statements, take a stand about the performance of the all-black infantry divisions.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Educational Technology - Multimedia Education | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Whole Language | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States History
Title: African-American Soldiers After World War I: Had Race Relations Changed?
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Description: This lesson, from EDSITEment, explores the state of race relations in the U.S. before, during, and after World War I. Students consider the discrimination African-American volunteers faced at home and in the military and, after conducting research using an online database, they take a stand on the state of race relations at this time.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject:
Title: Playing Name Bingo with Chrysanthemum
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Description: In this twist on traditional bingo, the game boards feature students' names, and students answer questions designed to help them learn more about one another when their names are called.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Teaching the Epic through Ghost Stories
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Description: In this lesson, students connect to the oral tradition of epic storytellers by sharing their own oral tales of ghosts and goblins and monsters.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Webcams in the Classroom: Animal Inquiry and Observation
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Description: Students observe animals using one of the many webcams broadcasting from zoos and aquariums around the United States and the world, with a focus on observation, discussion, questioning, and research.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences | Science - Chemistry | Science - Pharmacology
Title: Acid Stomach Assessment
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Description: In this reproducible worksheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, Students respond to questions after completing lesson activities. The lesson helps students develop an understanding of how aspirin works and how understanding its interaction with other chemicals in the body aided doctors in medical research.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Guided Comprehension: Previewing Using an Anticipation Guide
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Description: Based on the Guided Comprehension Model developed by Maureen McLaughlin and Mary Beth Allen, this lesson introduces students to the comprehension strategy of previewing.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Guided Comprehension: Making Connections Using a Double-Entry Journal
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Description: Based on the Guided Comprehension Model by Maureen McLaughlin and Mary Beth Allen, this lesson helps students learn three types of connections (text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world) using a double-entry journal.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Guided Comprehension: Monitoring Using the INSERT Technique
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Description: Based on the Guided Comprehension Model developed by Maureen McLaughlin and Mary Beth Allen, this lesson introduces students to the comprehension strategy of monitoring.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Guided Comprehension: Self-Questioning Using Question-Answer Relationships
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Description: Guided comprehension moves your students beyond decoding to become independent readers. Generating questions to guide reading helps readers make connections with the text and supports independent comprehension of new texts.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Guided Comprehension: Summarizing Using the QuIP Strategy
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Description: Students learn to use the QuIP (questions into paragraphs) comprehension strategy to organize information and then synthesize it in writing.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Guided Comprehension: Visualizing Using the Sketch-to-Stretch Strategy
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Description: Guided comprehension moves your middle-grade students beyond decoding to become successful, independent readers. The sketch-to-stretch strategy encourages students to use "brain TV" to help them understand a text through visualization.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Spelling | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Spelling Cheerleading: Integrating Movement and Spelling Generalizations
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Description: "2-4-6-8, students will be spelling great" in this lesson that teaches the y rule for adding suffixes through cheering the spelling of words aloud, word sorts, and writing stories.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Marble Mania
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, by flipping coins and pulling marbles out of a bag, students begin to develop a basic understanding of probabilities, how they are determined, and how the outcome of an experiment can be affected by the number of times it is conducted.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Earth science | Social Studies - World History
Title: Biblical Tunnel
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how scientists have proven that one Bible story is right on track. Radiocarbon dating of the Siloam Tunnel, in Israel, marks the first time the age of a Biblical structure has been confirmed scientifically. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Marble Mania: E-sheet
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Description: This E-sheet, from a Science NetLinks lesson, guides students in an online activity exploring randomness and probability.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Virtual Coin Toss
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Description: This resource, from PBS Kids, features a "virtual coin toss." Users can choose how many times to have the computer toss a coin and immediately see the outcome. The total occurrence of heads and tails is tracked through repeated tosses. This resource is referenced in the Science NetLinks lesson titled "Marble Mania."
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Guided Comprehension: Evaluating Using the Meeting of the Minds Technique
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Description: Based on the Guided Comprehension Model developed by Maureen McLaughlin and Mary Beth Allen, this lesson introduces students to the strategy of evaluating, using the Meeting of the Minds technique.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Guided Comprehension: Knowing How Words Work Using Semantic Feature Analysis
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Description: Based on the Guided Comprehension Model developed by Maureen McLaughlin and Mary Beth Allen, this lesson introduces students to the comprehension strategy of knowing how words work.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Subject: Health - Disease | Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Human Relations
Title: Catching the Bug for Reading Through Interactive Read-Alouds
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Description: Students learn about story structure, new vocabulary, and a variety of reading strategies by participating in an interactive read-aloud of Miss Bindergarten Stays Home From Kindergarten by Joseph Slate.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1
Subject: Educational Technology - Integrating Technology into the Classroom | Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Let’s Build a Snowman
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Description: In this lesson, students use both fiction and nonfiction texts, the Internet, and a K-W-L chart to learn about how animals survive the winter.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Teaching Audience Through Interactive Writing
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Description: Through interactive writing, students work together and then independently to create invitation letters for a group of their peers and their families.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Speech
Title: Biography Project: Research and Class Presentation
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Description: Classroom biography study offers high-interest reading with a purpose, as students begin with inquiry and research, summarize and organize their information, and prepare oral presentations to share with the class.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Book Report Alternative: Examining Story Elements Using Story Map Comic Strips
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Description: Comic frames are traditionally used to illustrate a story in a short, concise format. In this lesson, students use a six-paneled comic strip frame to create a story map, summarizing a book or story that they've read. Each panel retells a particular detail or explains a literary element (such as setting or character) from the story.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Ghosts and Fear in Language Arts: Exploring the Ways Writers Scare Readers
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Description: Students analyze scary stories to 'break the code" of horror writing and use what they learn to write scary stories of their own.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Beyond the Story: A Dickens of a Party
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Description: Students attend a 19th Century Victorian party to celebrate Scrooge's new outlook on life. They research characters from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and assume those personas for the party.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Demonstrating a Way to Analyze Style
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, offers a demonstration of the "think-aloud" process of style analysis.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Grammar | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Action Is Character: Exploring Character Traits with Adjectives
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Description: Students must "become" a character in a novel in order to describe themselves and other characters using powerful adjectives.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Arts - Music | Social Studies - Anthropology | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: World View: National Anthems Around the World
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students visit the World Viewer exhibit in National Geographic's Xpedition Hall and explore geographic information about countries around the globe. Students consider the role of national anthems in preserving a nation's identity in changing times.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Locator Booth: Mapping South America
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students visit the Locator Booth exhibit in National Geographic's Xpedition Hall and consider conditions to find places' positions. Students see how human and physical factors define eight South American hot spots. Students learn new geographic terms and use context clues in their reading to decide which map has the information they need to complete an interactive activity.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Social Studies - Geography
Title: Satellite Spyglass: Formal, Functional and Perceptual Regions
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students visit the Satellite Spyglass exhibit in National Geographic's Xpedition Hall, where they learn that we can make sense of our complex world by dividing it into different regions. They divide their cafeteria into regions and write about their own perceptions of regions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Xpeditions Express: City Scavenger Hunt
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Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, young students take a virtual trip on National Geographic's Xpeditions Express through Europe to the cities of London, Paris, Innsbruck, Venice, Budapest, and Istanbul. Students use clues relating to the descriptions that they have read to select the cities that different tourists would most like to visit.
Thinkfinity Partner: Xpeditions
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Photography | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Wartime Poetry: Working With Similes
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Description: Students analyze a photograph, brainstorm words to describe the characters' senses and feelings, work in pairs to describe a character's experience, and create a poem using their ideas and similes.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Manipulating Sentences to Reinforce Grammar Skills
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Description: Students manipulate sentences from books or magazines to examine changes in meaning and parts of speech.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Manipulating Sentences
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, features a short passage form Henry Mazer's "The Island Keeper," along with twelve questions to help students focus on key parts of a chosen sentence and alter its meaning and effectiveness.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading
Title: Sentence Manipulation Rubric
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Description: This rubric, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, helps teachers assess how effectively students have manipulated a sentence from a given passage from Henry Mazer's "The Island Keeper."
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Journalism | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Story Telling | Language Arts - Whole Language | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - Current Events/Issues
Title: Creating a Classroom Newspaper
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Description: Students write authentic newspaper stories, including learning about various aspects of newspapers, such as writing an article, online articles, newspaper reading habits, and layout and design techniques.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Functions | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: A Collection of Secondary Math Units
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Description: Reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, this site is a collection of seven secondary lesson plans concerning data analysis, algebra, and geometry. Lessons are technology driven using spreadsheet and dynamic geometry software. The lesson plans describe the activities as well as the assessment. Topics include: Data collection, formulas and spreadsheets, linear transformation matrices, constructions using dynamic software, and exploring functions using spreadsheets.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Probability
Title: A Shoe In
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Description: This lesson from the Educator's Reference Desk, reviewed for grades Pre-K-2 by Illuminations, focuses on classifying data. Students read the story "The Elves and the Shoemaker" then observe, categorize, and interpret data they collect about the shoes they have worn to school. Read the full review on the Illuminations site, where you can access the resource directly.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Addition
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Description: Reviewed for grades 9-12 by Illuminations, this resource, from Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles, looks at the changing nature of addition, which moves from the abstraction of numbers to the abstraction of operational procedures. Teachers, parents and students can learn how mathematics is defined on various sets such as vectors, numbers, shapes, matrices, equations and chains.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Measurement | Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Adventures in Statistics
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Description: This resource, from the Math Forum, features a description of a classroom exercise involving the area of different classrooms. The exercise incorporates measurement, graphing, computation, data analysis, and presentation of results. While this is merely a description of how the lesson was implemented, the attentive teacher will find that the ideas presented could be readily adapted for use in the classroom. Use this link to access the Adventures in Statistics Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Algebraic Factoring
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Description: Reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, this Web site contains several parts for the lesson. First, there is a short glossary defining the terms to later be used in the lessons. Next, there is a short activity using algebra tiles to make sure the students understand how to use them correctly. The main activity is how to multiply binomials together, by using the algebra tiles. Then, there are three procedures that follow using the algebra tiles to multiply (a+b)2, (a+b)(a-b), and (a-b)2. Next, there is section on understanding factoring through geometry and a class activity to go along with it. Last, there is a homework assignment that can be given to the students for them to practice more factoring. All of these activities lead to students being able to see how binomials are multiplied and why the answers make sense. The algebra tiles are a hands-on way for students to be able to attain this understanding for themselves.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Area
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Description: Reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations, this lesson allows students to explore the concept of area and perimeter using an applet. The applet creates random shapes and the students are asked to fill in the area and perimeter in a text field. A worksheet is also provided with the lesson that accompanies the applet to help students see patterns between the gridline intersections (like pegs on a geoboard) and the area and perimeter of a polygon. There are also alternate outlines and extensions to use for the lesson.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Baseball Stats
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Description: In this Science Netlinks lesson, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, students will use baseball data available on the Internet to develop an understanding of different ways in which data can be analyzed. First, they will practice selecting data to perform calculations in response to pre-formulated questions. Then they will use the data to formulate and answer their own questions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Bowling Facts
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Description: In this lesson. reviewed for grades PreK-2 by Illuminations, students learn how to subtract through a bowling activity. After reading a story to introduce the concept of subtraction, students play with a plastic bowling set. As students knock over pins, they reinforce counting skills and develop the concept of subtraction.
Students will certainly enjoy this engaging activity, but teachers should supplement it with questions that engage their minds as well. The lesson does suggest a few questions that extended the students thinking, but additional questions will be necessary for students to connect the activity with the mathematics. Also, a little research may need to be conducted because there are no links to the story or cut-outs.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Building a Pyramid
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Description: In this activity, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, students create a scale model of the Pyramid of Giza using an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper and scissors. This is the easy part of the lesson. On the Web site after the making of the pyramid two questions are asked: What is the surface area and volume of the pyramid. The formulas are given. However, this would be a great opportunity to introduce how to deduce a formula from given information. After students construct their pyramids, instead of giving the formulas for surface area and volume, put the students into groups and have each group determine how to find the surface area and volume of a pyramid by deducing a formula for both. Then, let each group explain how and why they came up with their specific formulas.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Charting Countries of the World
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Description: This geography lesson, reviewed for grades 3-5 by Iluminations, has valuable connections to mathematics. Students will analyze and represent data while thinking critically about how size affects a country's attributes. Students break into groups and research one small and one large country. From the data they collect about the countries, they generalize advantages and disadvantages of the countries based on size. Groups enter their information into a chart and then analyze the class's data. Adjustments could be made to make the lesson stronger in math, such as having the students regroup with one person from each group making up a new one. Then each member could be responsible for entering his or her group's data into a database, and the new group could find different ways to represent the data and their group conclusions.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Chocolate
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Description: Reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, estimation and measurement are the major concepts of this activiy. Students are shown two different irregular-shaped cookies that are covered with equal amounts of chocolate. They are then asked which one they would prefer if they wanted the one with the most chocolate. To solve the problem students have to estimate the area of each cookie and decide which has the largest area. There are several ways that students could estimate the area, such as drawing each figure onto graph paper and counting the number of squares in each. This would be a good initial or follow up problem for a lesson on measurement. There are also other interesting facts through the "Think About This" and "Did You Know" sections.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Cinderella Web Quest
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Description: The literary tale of Cinderella provides a foundation for math and group activities available on this Web site, reviewed for grades PreK-2 by Illuminations. It begins with "Step Mother Math," which involves money calculations on printable worksheets and continues with the theme as student groups plan Cinderella's trip to the ball. Available on the Web site are links to the story of Cinderella, complete with audio readings, and links to other sites for math practice. At the time of this review, two of the Web site links were no longer working, so teachers should preview all the links before encouraging students to access them. The Web site also provides a student evaluation sheet that students may use for self-assessment and a rubric that teachers may adapt. The evaluation sheet emphasizes student involvement within their groups and willingness to ask questions and work with their partners.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Counting: The Beginning of Mathematics
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Description: This resource, from Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles, reviews the mathematics of counting and its relationship to mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Concepts are illustrated using Java applets. Use this link to access the Counting: The Beginning of Mathematics Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades Pre-K-2.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Delta Blocks
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Description: This resource, from Hop's Delta Blocks, provides an overview of delta blocks, which were inspired by M.C. Escher's print "Flatworms," and which can be used to explore 3-D tessellations and related geometric concepts. The site also has some interesting links that lead to tessellations and solid geometry constructions. Use this link to access the Delta Blocks Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Eggciting Math
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Description: In this lesson, from Explorer, students use plastic eggs filled with various numbers of objects such as blocks, beans, or cotton balls to practice counting. They also compare the numeral printed on the outside of each egg with the objects it contains. Use this link to access the Eggciting Math Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades Pre-K-2.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Estimate!
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Description: This interactive activity, from WisWeb, features a game in which students are asked to estimate the answers to tough addition problems. Scores are kept based on how good the given estimates are. Students can also choose other options using a pop-up menu. Use this link to access the Estimate! Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Exploring Data
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Description: This resource, from the Math Forum, features a collection of lesson plans about data analysis, probability, and statistics. Many of the lesson plans have links to interactive simulations and range across the grades. Use this link to access the Exploring Data Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Patterns
Title: Fibonacci Numbers
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Description: This resource, from Dr. Ron Knott at the University of Surrey, features information about Fibonacci numbers. There are various examples and explanations, along with instructions for navigating the site and a list of references and links. Use this link to access the Fibonacci Numbers Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Function Machine
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Description: This interactive, from the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives, is a function machine designed to teach the concept of a function through experimentation with different functions. The student drags a number into the function machine and observes the output after the machine processes the number. This information is then used to infer what numbers will complete the table of values. Use this link to access the Function Machine Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Geoboard Virtual Manipulative
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Description: This online version of a geoboard, from the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives, is not only helpful in preventing rubber bands from popping unsuspecting students, but it also comes with activities and thought provoking questions for engaging the entire classroom. Students can simply open this tool and begin exploring area and perimeter for the polygons they create. Use this link to access the Geoboard Virtual Manipulative Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Physics
Title: A Look at Sunspots
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, one of a three-part series on how scientific tools are used to gather information about the universe, students are introduced to sunspots. They learn about the types of technology and solar imaging that can be used to collect information about the sun's features.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Astronomy | Science - Physics
Title: Correlating Sunspots to Active Regions
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, one of a three-part series on how scientific tools are used to gather information about the universe, students apply the use of two types of solar imaging to determine a correlation between sunspots and active regions on the sun.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - Human Behavior
Title: Surveying New Territory
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Description: In this lesson, students learn about recent research linking economic status with children's behavior. They then design their own studies that investigate how different variables are related to student performance in particular subject areas. This lesson is found on the New York Times Learning Network.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Health - Consumer Health | Language Arts - Journalism | Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Brain Brands
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Description: In this lesson, students learn about the advent of neuromarketing as a means to assess the effects of certain brands on the brain activity of prospective buyers. They then design their own experiments that test the power of certain brands on a sample population. This lesson is found on the New York Times Learning Network.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Geoboards in the Classroom
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Description: This unit, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, deals with the length and area of two-dimensional geometric figures using the geoboard as a pedagogical device. This unit helps students to be able to better distinguish between perimeter and area. They also gain a better understanding of units, such as a square inch. Using a geoboard, students can see the area of a rectangle and can count the square units which it is made up of. The introduction includes pages that describe materials needed, offer discussion and activities for investigating length and area (in particular Pick's Theorem), and provide sample pages of dot paper to print out. An epilogue is provided. There are five lesson plans which individually focus on line, squares, rectangles, parallelograms, and right triangles. A short bibliography brings an end to the unit.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Number Sense | Mathematics - Probability
Title: Geometric Probability and Primo Mathematics
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Description: These two activities, from the Math Forum, deal with geometric probability and prime numbers, respectively. The Geometric Probability activity asks students to determine what the probability would be of a dart landing in a shaded region of a shape if it were randomly dropped on that shape. Primo Mathematics features a series of questions and problems about prime numbers. Use this link to access the Geometric Probability and Primo Mathematics Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Geometric Terms
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Description: This resource, from Quia, features four interactive activities to help students learn vocabulary related to geography. The activities include a matching game, flash cards, a concentration game, and a word search. Use this link to access the Geometric Terms Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Geometry: From the Land of the Incas
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Description: This resource, from Geometry Step by Step, offers an interesting look at the geometry used in ancient Inca monuments and art. The author has also included several links to interesting theorems not usually covered in a typical secondary school geometry course. Geometry tests, quizzes, crosswords, and more are also included. Use this link to access the Geometry: From the Land of the Incas Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Guess the Number
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Description: This interactive activity, from Ambleweb, asks students to choose a range of numbers and then guess the number the computer is "thinking of." Students are told if their guesses are too high or too low and the computer tracks how many guesses it takes for them to reach the right answer. Use this link to access the Guess the Number Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades Pre-K-2.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Guess the Number Plus
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Description: This resource, from Funbrain.com, features a collection of interactive math word problems. Students can choose from easy or hard problems that cover only addition and subtraction or all operations. The object is to solve the problem using the fewest possible guesses. Use this link to access the Guess the Number Plus Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: High School Operations Research: Jurassic Oil
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Description: This resource, from High School Operations Research, features an activity in which students use linear programming to find the optimal gasoline blend. Teacher resources, student sheets, and blackline masters are available for printing. Use this link to access the High School Operations Research: Jurassic Oil Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics | Social Studies - Economics
Title: High School Operations Research: Torn Shirts Inc.
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Description: This resource, from High School Operations Research, features an activity in which students must use a probability simulation to manage a telephone ordering system. Printable student sheets, teacher resources, and blackline masters are available. Use this link to access the High School Operations Research: Torn Shirts Inc. Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: How Many Combinations?
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Description: In this Figure This! activity, students are asked to figure out how many possible combinations they'd have to try if they forgot the combination to their padlock that uses the numbers 0 to 39. There is a hint if students get stuck and they can check their answer when they're done. There are also sections with related problems and relevant information. Use this link to access the How Many Combinations? Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Statistics | Science - Earth science
Title: How Much Money Do Baseball Players Really Make?
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Description: This resource, from the Office for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, features two math activities. One deals with the salaries of major league baseball players and investigates variance. The other focuses on the relationship of temperature to latitude and longitude and focuses on covariance. Use this link to access the How Much Money Do Baseball Players Really Make? Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: I see
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Description: This resource, from the Education Development Center, features an exploration of the number system. Three math problems illustrate how the number system is extended from rational, to irrational, and finally to complex in order to provide solutions to algebraic problems. Hints and solutions are provided. Use this link to access the I see Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Interactive Geometry
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Description: This resource, from MathsNet, features a collection of interactive applets created using the Geometer's Sketchpad, a popular software package for exploring geometry. The applets explore common (and uncommon) geometric objects, definitions, theorems, and constructions. Good guidance is provided to help students understand the situations presented. Use this link to access the Interactive Geometry Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Introduction to Symmetry
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Description: This Math Forum resource features five activities designed to guide young children through an introduction to symmetry using a puzzle set of seven geometric shapes called tangrams. As students manipulate the tangrams, they visually learn about slides (translation), turns (rotation), and flips (reflection). Use this link to access the Introduction to Symmetry Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades Pre-K-2.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Science - Botany
Title: It Counts!
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students learn about the descriptive purposes of numbers by assigning numbers to objects. They make observations of plants and discuss how numbers are helpful in describing things (i.e. noting the number of leaves on a plant, its height, etc.). Use this link to access the It Counts!
Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades Pre-K-2.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Length, Perimeter, and Area
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Description: This lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., is designed to examine the mathematical concepts of length, perimeter, and area. Students learn to calculate the area and perimeter of a random shape on a grid. Use this link to access the Length, Perimeter, and Area Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: Leonardo da Vinci
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Description: This is a lesson, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, involving the proportions of Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. The Vitruvian Man shows that the ratio of the arm span to the height is equal to one. The objective of the lesson is to find out if this ratio is true for everyone. Students, in groups, measure their arm spans and heights. Afterwards the teacher records students' measurements for everyone to see. Next, groups or individuals use graph paper or a spreadsheet program to graph the data. Then, the ratios are calculated. There are also five discussion questions and three writing prompts for students to complete. Last, there are several links to Web sites about Leonardo da Vinci. This lesson incorporates many mathematical concepts and skills in that it uses simple algebra, graphing techniques, communication skills, problem solving, and reasoning skills. Students should find this lesson fun and intriguing and learn much in the process.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Let's Do Math!
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Description: Reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, this Web site is designed to promote mathematics in the home. The site includes information for parents about incorporating or highlighting math in daily activities. They give three specific activities: fruit graphs, money match, and list it. The fruit graphs activity teaches children about sorting, money match is a game that emphasizes making change, and list it finds math in creating grocery lists. Teachers can print this page or use the ideas in letters to parents that promote home-school connections.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Foreign Languages - Alphabet | Language Arts - Alphabet | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Lesson 1: The Phoenicians and the Beginnings of the Alphabet
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students learn about the ancient Mediterranean civilization of Phoenicia. They then identify some of the letters in the Phoenician alphabet.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Foreign Languages - Alphabet | Language Arts - Alphabet | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Lesson 2: The Greek Alphabet: more familiar than you think!
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students learn about the culture and history of Ancient Greece. They then identify letters from the Greek alphabet.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Foreign Languages - Alphabet | Language Arts - Alphabet | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Lesson 3: The Roman Alphabet is our Alphabet
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students learn about the culture and history of Ancient Rome. They then compare Roman letters to their own alphabet.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Foreign Languages - Alphabet | Language Arts - Alphabet | Social Studies - Geography | Social Studies - World History
Title: Lesson 4: The Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans, and Us
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Description: In this lesson, the last of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students consolidate the knowledge gained in the three previous lessons concerning the origins and development of the alphabet.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 3: Kate Chopin's The Awakening: Searching for Women & Identity in Chopin's The Awakening
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students examine how gender roles in nineteenth-century America affect the choices made by the central character in Kate Chopin's "The Awakening." They analyze Edna Pontellier's character development specifically in relation to other characters in the novella and generally in relation to women's roles in 19th-century America.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 1: Kate Chopin's The Awakening: No Choice but Under?
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Description: This lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, encourages students to explore the chronological and geographical context of Kate Chopin's "The Awakening." This lesson serves both as an introduction to the curriculum unit--with its overarching themes, questions, and objectives--as well as a lesson on Chopin in context.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 2: Kate Chopin's The Awakening: Chopin, Realism, and Local Color in late 19th Century America
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Description: This lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, focuses on the attributes of literary realism and local color in writing, as reflected in Kate Chopin's "The Awakening."
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Phonics | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: The Big Green Monster Teaches Phonics in Reading and Writing
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Description: A big green monster helps students build their reading fluency and word recognition skills through choral reading, literacy center activities, and writing stories.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject:
Title: Discovering a Passion for Poetry With Langston Hughes
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Description: Through a study of Langston Hughes’ poetry, students connect his writing to his place in history.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject:
Title: Book Report Alternative: Creating Careers for Characters
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Description: Students select a job listing for a character in a book they have read, then create a resume and application letter for that character.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject:
Title: Is a Sentence a Poem?
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Description: Students use their own poetry to analyze syntax, imagery, and meaning in a one-sentence poem by a canonical author to decide what makes it a poem.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Earth science | Science - Ecology | Science - Meteorology
Title: The Water Cycle
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Description: In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students build upon their previous investigations of water by learning about the water cycle and its continuous flow around us. Students begin by reviewing what they already know about water and how it can freeze into ice or turn into a gas depending on how low or high temperatures become. They then learn about the water cycle and its key processes that affect our lands, oceans, and atmosphere. The ongoing need for fresh-water conservation is also highlighted.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: Hatching Chickens
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Description: This lesson, from Science NetLinks, is intended to help students understand the importance of carefully observing and caring for eggs and chickens in the classroom. Students come to realize that they can learn a lot about chickens--and animals in general--through close observation.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Body Systems and Senses | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: My Senses Tell Me
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Description: In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students learn about their five senses. Using student sheets to record their observations, students work in small groups at five "Sense Stations," where they document what they smell, taste, see, touch, and hear. Through group discussion, students then are challenged to think about how their senses led them to new information.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Health - Environmental Health | Science - Chemistry | Science - Ecology
Title: Road Rubber
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear a toxicologist describe research being done to find out how rubber particles affect the environment. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Science - Chemistry
Title: Pizza Cheese
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Description: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear why the cheese on pizza tastes different when it is reheated versus when it is originally baked. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related Science NetLinks lessons and other related resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Patterns
Title: MegaShapes
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Description: This tool, reviewed by Science NetLinks, contains activities which include matching properties with shapes, interactive quizzes, and puzzle building. While this page links to the overview for the MegaShapes tool for grades 6-8, you'll find additional links and benchmarks for grades K-12 by using the navigation tools at the top of the page.
Thinkfinity Partner: Science NetLinks
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Make a Living Graph
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Description: In this activity, from Education Place, students get hands-on practice with bar graphs. They first create a "living bar graph" by lining up according to their favorite foods, and then translate this experience into a graphic representation of the data on paper. Use this link to access the Make a Living Graph Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades Pre-K-2.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Manipula Math with JAVA (Middle school collection)
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Description: This resource, from Math Education and Technology, features a collection of interactive applets that address several topics in geometry including angles, parallel lines, congruent figures, triangles, and more. Directions and thought questions lead the students in their manipulation of the interactive figures. Use this link to access the Manipula Math with JAVA Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Math and Children's Literature
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Description: This resource, from Carol Hurst, features reviews of children's literature and recommended activities that connect books and mathematics. In her reviews, she provides suggestions for lessons and often will provide themes that connect several books to mathematical topics. For each book recommended, Hurst also provides the vital information a teacher needs to acquire it (ISBN numbers and authors), book length, and recommended grade levels. Use this link to access the Math and Children's Literature Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades Pre-K-2.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Math Scramble
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Description: In this activity, from LessonPlansPage.com, students learn about the basic math operations by playing a game. Each student gets a card with a number on it. The teacher calls out a number and the students arrange themselves in groups using provided operation (plus, minus, etc.) signs to form the correct problem. Use this link to access the Math Scramble Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: MathApplications -- Curves
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Description: This collection of links, compiled by Hawaii's Public Schools, focuses on the study of curves, including circles, ellipses, parabolas, and other mathematical curves. The links lead to Web sites with information about each of the chosen topics. The site also includes a list of four possible project ideas focusing on curves. Use this link to access the MathApplications--Curves Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: Mega Math
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Description: The Mega Math project, from Los Alamos National Laboratory, is intended to portray mathematics as a "living science." Topics addressed include: the nature of infinity, map coloring, knots, graphs, game theory, and much more. Each area of the site provides comprehensive resources on the topic, including background information (vocabulary, big ideas and key concepts), possible activities for the classroom, evaluation ideas, and areas for continued exploration. Use this link to access the Mega Math Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Mirror Puzzles
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Description: Reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, this Web site contains several challanging puzzles from Erich's Puzzle Palace. You are given a 3x3 square, split up into 6 smaller squares. On the outside of some of the squares there is a number indicating how many people can be seen from this point. The object is to draw diagonal mirrors and people so that the number matches the number of people that can be seen from that point. The problems on this Web site could be used in a couple different ways. First, students could warm up by being given the puzzles with the people and diagonal mirrors and determine how many people can be seen from each spot. Then, students could be given the puzzles as they are given on the Web site to place the people and the diagonal mirrors. Both ways will be a good challenge for students because they will have to use their logical thinking skills to complete the puzzles.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Probability | Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Monte Carlo
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Description: This simulation, from The Article 19 Group, Inc., allows students to experiment with rolling dice. They select the number of dice and the number of times they will be rolled then run the simulation to see the data displayed on a graph. This simulation helps students explore the normal distribution. Use this link to access the Monte Carlo Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Multiplying Decimals and Mixed Numbers
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Description: This lesson, from the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., is designed to reinforce skills associated with multiplying decimals and mixed numbers and allow students to visualize the effects of multiplying by a decimal or mixed number. Use this link to access the Multiplying Decimals and Mixed Numbers Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Calculus | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: National Curve Bank--Math on the Web
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Description: The National Curve Bank, from California State University, Los Angeles, is a resource for students of mathematics featuring geometric, algebraic, and historical aspects of curves through animation and interactives. Topics include: calculus, pre-calculus, history of mathematics, limits, and fractals. Use this link to access the National Curve Bank Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Pi Day
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Description: This resource, from Math with Mr. Herte, features a variety of activities focusing on pi. There are pi- and circle-related activities included for all levels from elementary to high school. Use this link to access the Pi Day Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Picture Math
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Description: This activity, from Teachers Network, focuses on plotting points on a Cartesian plane. Students must perform various calculations and/or solve word problems to determine the points they are to plot. Once all the points are plotted, a picture is revealed on the grid. Teachers could modify the problems included to suit multiple grade levels. Use this link to access the Picture Math Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 3-5.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: Play Ball
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Description: Examine the relationship of rate of change over time by determining which collector baseball will end up having the most value. This Figure This! Activity also includes hints and brainteasers.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Probability
Title: Probability by Surprise
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Description: This resource, from Susan P. Holmes at Stanford University, features a collection of applets demonstrating probability. For example, in the Birthday Problem Applet, students can randomly generate a number of dates representing birthdays and track when two of the generated dates match. The other applets explore similar themes. Use this link to access the Probability by Surprise Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Roman Empire and Grandfather Clock
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Description: These two problems, from the Math Forum, provide opportunities for students to employ different problem solving techniques. The first problem deals with cutting guards posted at various gates using different criteria. The second problem deals with a grandfather clock that loses seven minutes each hour. Use this link to access the Roman Empire and Grandfather Clock Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Probability
Title: Sampling Rocks
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Description: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students learn about sampling through an investigation of rocks found in the schoolyard. This lesson will introduce students to the notion of a sample, and how the size and method of collection of a sample can bias findings. Use this link to access the Sampling Rocks Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades Pre-K-2.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: Preschool | K | 1 | 2
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry | Mathematics - Measurement
Title: School-bus Geometry
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Description: This resource, from the Cynthia Lanius at Rice University, introduces "school-bus geometry" - an unusual way to measure distance using a school bus. School-bus geometry is useful for measuring distance on city streets. Use this link to access the School-bus Geometry Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Sphinx - An Example of Richness
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Description: In this math challenge, students engage in creating similar polygons to the "sphinx" polygon by combining a specified number of unit sphinxes. Through manipulating and combining sphinxes, the activity involves students in experimenting with shapes and the different ways a shape can be viewed. It also touches on tiling and patterns. Use this link to access the Sphinx Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: Surveying Pre-teen Tastes
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Description: This lesson, from the Teachers Network, focuses on data collection and analysis. Students customize their own survey according to their interests, interview other students close to their same age, and compile the data they receive. The data are analyzed and presented in bar graphs, preferably using a computer program. Use this link to access the Surveying Pre-teen Tastes Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 1: From the President's Lips: The Concerns that Led to the Sedition (and Alien) Act
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students examine the international situation during John Adams' presidency. They focus on the concerns that led to the Sedition Act.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 2: The Debate in Congress on the Sedition Act
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students examine the provisions in the U.S. Constitution that are relevant to the debate over the Sedition Act. They explore the arguments offered in Congress for and against the Sedition Act.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 3: George Washington on the Sedition Act
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students examine the arguments used by George Washington in support of the Sedition Act. They focus on the role of partisan politics in the creation of and/or controversy over the Sedition Act.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 4: Thomas Jefferson on the Sedition Act
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students examine arguments put forth by Thomas Jefferson and others in opposition to the Sedition Act. They discuss Jefferson's opinion on how constitutional questions about the Sedition Act could be resolved.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 5: Consequences of the Sedition Act
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Description: This is the final lesson in the five-lesson EDSITEment curriculum unit titled "Certain Crimes Against the United States: The Sedition Act." In this lesson, students explore some applications and consequences of the Sedition Act. They consider the problems governments face in balancing security needs and personal freedoms.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson and the Growth of Party Politics
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Description: This web page provides an overview of the four-lesson EDSITEment curriculum unit titled "The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson and Growth of Party Politics." In this unit, students analyze changes in voter participation and regional power, and review archival campaign documents reflecting the dawn of politics as we know it during the critical years from 1824 to 1832. This curriculum unit incorporates primary source material from EDSITEment-reviewed Web sites.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 1: 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson: Expansion of the Voting Base
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students explore how changes in state constitutions affected the voting population in the early years of the nineteenth century. They give examples to indicate how the franchise was extended and limited in the first half of the 19th century and cite some differences in the newly enfranchised population that could affect the way they would vote.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 2: The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson: Changes in Voting Participation
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students examine voting patterns for the presidential election of 1828. They make connections between changes in voting participation and the results of the election.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - Economics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 3: The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson: Territorial Expansion and the Shift of Power
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students examine the effects of changes in the electorate and regional differences within the United States on the election of 1828. They also explore the development of the Democratic Party and its opposition.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Constitution | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: The Sedition Act: Certain Crimes Against the United States
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Description: This web page provides an overview for the five-lesson EDSITEment curriculum unit titled "Certain Crimes Against the United States: The Sedition Act." In this unit, students explore the precursors and consequences of the Sedition Act. They learn about the politics of the early Republic and consider the importance of balancing the needs of national security with individual rights. The lessons within this unit incorporate primary source material from EDSITEment-reviewed Web sites.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States Government | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 4: The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson: Issues in the Election of 1828 (and Beyond)
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students explore Andrew Jackson's campaign in some detail, focusing on his use of political handlers and on campaign materials supporting and opposing his candidacy.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Statistics
Title: The Data and Story Library
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Description: This resource, from the Department of Statistics at Carnegie Mellon University, is an online library of datafiles and stories that illustrate the use of basic statistics methods. Users can browse topics or methods or search the files for specific keywords. Use this link to access the Data and Story Library Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: The Geometer's Sketchpad: Modeling a Ferris Wheel
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Description: Step-by-step instructions and illustrations help you use Geometer's Sketchpad (an interactive geometry software) to create a model of a Ferris wheel.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: The Geometry Junkyard
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Description: This resource, from David Eppstein, a professor at the University of California, Irvine, features a collection of usenet clippings, web pointers, lecture notes, research excerpts, papers, abstracts, programs, problems, and other resources related to discrete and computational geometry. Users can browse by topic or view all available resources on one page. Use this link to access the Geometry Junkyard Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: The MegaPenny Project
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Description: This resource, from Kokogiak Media, helps students visualize large numbers. Using the familiar penny as a unit, the resource walks students through representations of numbers from one to one quintillion using pennies. Use this link to access the MegaPenny Project Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic
Title: The Odd Times Table
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Description: This resource, from the Math Forum, features two math activities. The first involves moving chips on a 2x3 rectangle. The objective is to reverse the X and Y chips in the fewest number of moves. The second activity makes use of a regular times table but requires the reduction of products to one digit answers by performing successive addition on the answers. Use this link to access the Odd Times Table Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics | Social Studies - Economics
Title: The Road to Emerald City Is Paved with Good Intentions
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Description: In this EconEdLink lesson, students examine the historical relationship between money supply and price level. This analysis helps them to understand the effects of the current deflation in the Japanese economy as well as the length and severity of the Great Depression in the United States in the 1930s. This lesson points out why it is so important for a central bank to strike a balance between inflationary and deflationary concerns. Use this link to access the Road to Emerald City is Paved with Good Intentions Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra
Title: Traffic Jam
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Description: This activity, reviewed for grades 3-5 by Illuminations, presents the problem, "there are seven stepping stones and six people." The three people standing on the three left-most stones must exchange places with the people on the three right-most stones. Students work in groups, and then demonstrate their solutions using a variety of ways to model the problem (including actual people, manipulatives, and an applet that requires a Java-enabled browser). From this discussion, the students can begin to formulate rules for how to do the task most efficiently. The latter parts of the lesson may prove too advanced for elementary students; it was primarily designed for the middle school. But elementary students can certainly explore the problem, and its focus on multiple ways of representing the problem may be useful for these students.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Algebra | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Understanding Algebraic Factoring
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Description: This activity from the Math Forum, reviewed for grades 6-8 by Illuminations, seeks to illustrate to students the relationship between algebra and geometry. Students use algebra tiles to represent various algebraic expressions. Read the full review on the Illuminations site, where you can access the resource directly.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Arithmetic | Mathematics - Number Sense
Title: Welcome to the Hotel Infinity!
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Description: This resource, from Los Alamos National Laboratory, focuses on infinity. There are sections with background information, vocabulary, key concepts, activities, evaluation, prep and materials, and resources for further study. Use this link to access the Welcome to the Hotel Infinity Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 6-8.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Title: What's Your Index?
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Description: In this Figure This! activity, students are asked to determine the Body Mass Index (BMI) of a fictional character, given his height and weight and the proper formula. There are hints, additional information, other related brainteasers, and more. Use this link to access the What's Your Index? Web site through the Illuminations resource review for grades 9-12.
Thinkfinity Partner: Illuminations
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Figures and Polygons
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Description: This web page, from the Math League, provides a comprehensive list of different shapes and sizes of polygons. Definitions, variations, and drawings are provided in addition to a link to the Math League homepage, where there are additional mathematics resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Science - Biological and Life Sciences
Title: What do You Know About Frogs?
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, guides students as they consult a Web site to determine whether each of eight statements about frogs is true or false.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Alphabet | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Phone Book Activity: Alphabetical Order II
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, prompts students to alphabetize personal and business names as they would be found in a phone book.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Alphabet | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Using the Phone Book: Alphabetical Order
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, prompts students to alphabetize a list of 18 names.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Spelling
Title: Personal Spelling Dictionary
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Description: Students use this printable chart, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, to record and reflect on their own frequently misspelled words.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Grammar | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Prepositions
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, provides students with an extensive list of prepositions.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Polygon Definitions
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Description: This resource, from Cynthia Lanius at Rice University, is a list of terms and definitions of geometric shapes, such as trapezoid, parallelogram, octagon, hexagon, and more. A link to the site's index leads to additional geometry resources.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: All
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Mathematics - Geometry
Title: Symmetry Around the World
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Description: This Web site, from Adrianbruce.com, offers a fascinating look at symmetry in nature, buildings, animals, symbols, alphabet letters, the human body, and more. This site also offers worksheet questions for educators. There are dozens of activities including a virtual kaleidoscope, facial symmetry, symmetry in nature, and more. The page includes links to the home page where there are additional classroom activities for subjects including photography, math, poetry, reading, and art.
Thinkfinity Partner: ArtsEdge
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Me: Identifying with a Hero
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Description: This lesson provides ideas for celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by encouraging students to explore the connections between Dr. King and themselves through journaling and inquiry-based research.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Exploring the Power of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Words through Diamante Poetry
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Description: Students explore the ways that powerful and passionate words communicate the concepts of freedom, justice, discrimination, and the American Dream in Martin Luther King, Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Living the Dream: 100 Acts of Kindness
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Description: This lesson provides the “action piece” for any study of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In this project, students participate in Dr. King’s dream by doing 100 acts of kindness.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Grammar | Language Arts - Mechanics | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Every Punctuation Mark Matters: A Minilesson on Semicolons
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Description: Students analyze stylistic choices and grammar use in authentic writing, focusing on the use of the semicolon in Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail."
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 6 | 7 | 8
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Building a Matrix for Leo Lionni Books: An Author Study
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Description: In this author study, students listen to and discuss four books by Leo Lionni. They identify similarities and differences in the stories and then compare two stories of their choice.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Spend a Day in My Shoes: Exploring the Role of Perspective in Narrative
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Description: In this lesson, students imagine spending a day in someone else's shoes. After reviewing the characteristics of narrative writing, they then write narratives from that person's point of view.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Music | Language Arts - Reading
Title: A-Hunting We Will Go: Teaching Rhyming Through Musical Verse
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Description: Adapting the song "A-Hunting We Will Go," students put a whale in a pail and even "take a little bear and hug it if we dare."
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Geography
Title: Behind the Scenes With Cinderella
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Description: Cinderella without castles, coaches, or ball gowns? Students use versions of Cinderella to explore how the setting of a story?time, place, and culture?affects the characters and plot.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Blending Fiction and Nonfiction to Improve Comprehension and Writing Skills
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Description: Students use a text set to increase understanding of content area material and demonstrate what they have learned by writing an original piece that blends together narrative and expository elements.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Charting Characters for a More Complete Understanding of the Story
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Description: Character Perspective Charting allows students to compare multiple characters and their points of view to better understand a story.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 3 | 4 | 5
Subject: Arts - Music | Language Arts - Literature | Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: I’ve Got the Literacy Blues
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Description: Students will be singing the blues in this lesson in which they identify themes from "The Gift of the Magi" and write and present blues poetry based on those themes.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition) | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Me
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Description: This student reproducible, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, guides students as they create journals that include information about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as their own lives.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: K | 1 | 2
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Philosophy - Ethics | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States History
Title: To Kill A Mockingbird and the Scottsboro Boys Trial: Profiles in Courage
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students study select court transcripts and other primary source material from the Scottsboro Boys Trial of 1933, in which two young white women wrongfully accused nine African-American youths of rape. Students then consider how an awareness of this historical event vivifies Tom Robinson's story in Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird."
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature | Philosophy - Ethics | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird: Profiles in Courage
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students read Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird" carefully with an eye for all instances of courage, but particularly those of moral courage. They then consider how "To Kill A Mockingbird" frames issues of courage and cowardice against the backdrop of the American South in the 1930s.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - United States History
Title: What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader?
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Description: This unit of four lessons, from EDSITEment, introduces activities in which students read the Continental Congress's resolutions granting powers to General Washington; analyze some of Washington's wartime orders, dispatches, and correspondence in terms of the characteristics of a good general; and study four battles by referring to primary source materials. In the final lesson in the unit, students examine Washington's words in response to a proposal that he become the head of a military dictatorship.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 1: What Are the Qualities of a Good Military Leader?
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students study General Washington's early military career and consider what qualities made George Washington an effective military leader. They explore how the responsibilities of the Commander-in-Chief were affected by conditions during the Revolutionary War.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 2: Powers and Problems
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students study General Washington's handling of the problems he faced as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. They then discuss how Washington's responses demonstrate the qualities that make him an effective general.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 3: Leadership in Victory and Defeat
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students evaluate the military leadership of General Washington by studying four significant battles of the Revolutionary War. They then discuss how Washington responded to the difficulties he faced as the leader of the Continental Army.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - Human Behavior | Social Studies - United States History
Title: Lesson 4: Leadership in Victory: One Last Measure of the Man
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Description: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students study General Washington's response to the Newburgh Conspiracy of 1783, an invitation from senior Continental Army officers for Washington to lead a military dictatorship. Students then reflect on what this incident reveals about Washington's leadership qualities.
Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEment
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Reading | Language Arts - Writing (composition)
Title: Rubric for Graphic Organizer, Literary Theme, and Poetry Presentation
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Description: This rubric, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, helps teachers assess students' use of a graphic organizer, development of theme for "Gift of the Magi" and presentation of a poem.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Reading
Title: Mural Rubric
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Description: This rubric, from a ReadWriteThink lesson, helps teachers assess students' contributions to a class mural that contains poetry and artwork.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Arts - History | Arts - Visual Arts | Language Arts - Listening Comprehension | Language Arts - Reading | Social Studies - Civics | Social Studies - United States History
Title: In 1929, Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on this day.
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Description: Students study Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and work in groups to create a mural that depicts Dr. King's vision of peace.
Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThink
Grade Span: 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Subject: Language Arts - Literature
Title: Character Traits: "To Kill a Mockingbird"
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Description: This student interactive, from an EDSITEment lesson, i
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